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The first of two friendly games between Spain and Germany, taking place in Madrid, had the guests come out on top 106-105 in crazy OT fashion. The rematch is in two days in Cologne, Germany. Dennis Schroder led Alex Mumbru against his national team, finishing with 24 points, 10 assists, and 5 rebounds in the reigning World champions’ fourth victory on the road to FIBA EuroBasket 2025. Moreover, Franz Wagner added 19 points and 7 assists.
Bill Simmons: I wouldn't be surprised NBA Europe starts in the 2026-27 season
Bill Simmons on NBA Europe: I think this goes London, Madrid, Barcelona, Milan, Paris, Berlin and a Greek team as your definite seven better in this. I think Adam Silver has those seven in his pocket and I don’t know who the Greek team is yet. Maybe you could add Tony Parker's French team. You could add the Istanbul team. You could add Manchester City. All sudden, I'm at 10. Maybe there's an Israeli team down the road. Maybe there's a third Spain team. Who knows? But they could take this right away. And if you look at the way the Euroleague is, where you basically have this ownership. It's called Euroleague Commercial Assets. That's the company that runs the League of voting rights on league rules, financials, TV deals, etc. And then there's a B license that that's a one year thing that you got to play your way in based on results, and then a C license that's like, basically a wild card. They could challenge this. They could offer the sponsorship expertise better, TV deals. They could shoehorn some of the TV stuff into their things. They could do the schedule so that it complements the NBA schedule correctly and I think this is going to be like, I honestly wouldn't be surprised that this was going in the 26-27 season.
Tony Parker has confirmed a rebuilding phase for ASVEL Villeurbanne. In a long interview with Le Progrès, the team president listed multiple departures: Neal Sako is heading to Valencia after using his EuroLeague out clause, while Théo Maledon has reportedly signed a “big contract” in Madrid. Paris Lee and Joffrey Lauvergne are considered too expensive to retain, and André Roberson, who Parker “would love to keep”, is unlikely to stay due to rising EuroLeague salaries and the influence of Dubai-based teams.
The president of FIBA Europe, Jorge Garbajosa, and Luis Scola were in Madrid for the Sport Summit 2025 and talked about the NBA Europe plans and other basketball issues in Europe. “The foundations have been laid,” started Garbajosa,“Basketball wants to be the most practiced sport in the world.” “The NBA sees a weakness in Europe,” he added. “The national team is the most important thing in sports, but without the clubs there is nothing,” he pointed out, “We must strengthen domestic leagues, because that’s where the best players will come from.” “What can’t be happening is that the national leagues are not linked to the best European competition,” he furthered, “The good thing about this NBA agreement with FIBA is that teams can aspire to be the highest-level competition.”
Guerschon Yabusele wants to keep playing in NBA, doesn't rule out Real Madrid return
El 7 blanco: Would you return to Real Madrid? Guerschon Yabusele: I will always love Madrid. Right now I want to sign back in the NBA but one day why not yes that would be amazing 🖤
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He was far less vague about the proposed NBA Europe, rattling off that the league would likely include 12 permanent franchises in European cities such as Paris, London, Berlin, Barcelona and Madrid and also four other clubs that would have to “play in on a yearly basis” such as established EuroLeague teams. “Now, again, just to be clear, this would be a standalone league,” Silver said. “It wouldn’t be a division of the NBA. Maybe one day some of these teams could be a division of the NBA. I mean I am always reading about new supersonic air jets, jets that are coming online. I mean, I think that could dramatically change things of faster flight.”
The NBA’s plan is to create a new competition with teams based in major European capitals. In addition to Madrid and Barcelona, candidate cities for one of the eight to ten franchises include London, Manchester, Paris, Lyon, Rome, Milan, and Berlin.
Dennis Smith leaving Real Madrid?
Ramon Alvarez de Mon: ?? Dennis Smith has not adapted to Madrid, and his departure from the club may be imminent. More problems for Chus Mateo.
The possible departure of Smith Jr. was first reported by journalist Ramón Álvarez de Mon. And, according to MARCA, the decision is more the player's than Madrid's. The team has no complaints about the American point guard, who has been working hard to get in shape after not playing since April of last year.
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Real Madrid is the NBA's main target in Europe
Donatas Urbonas: From what I’ve heard, the NBA’s main target is Real Madrid. This has always been a point of contention or doubt within the EuroLeague community. From what I’ve heard, the NBA might even make moves to further convince Real Madrid, possibly by hosting an NBA game in Madrid. We’ve already seen games in Paris, but Madrid might be next. If Madrid leaves, it would be significant.
“In Cleveland too,” he continued, “They said they loved me. They wanted me to stay in the G League to wait for the spot. I was mad. So, I decided to try a new thing to be happy as a basketball player again.” Before joining Madrid in 2017, he was waived by the Cavs and went through yet another brief spell with the Raptors 905. “I started to hate basketball,” the towering center said on his situation, “The main thing was to be happy again, to work hard and improve on the court.”
Dzanan Musa on staying at Real Madrid: “I am very happy in Madrid and to stay here I turned down some offers from the NBA. I never closed that door completely, but I would not leave here for any reason. I am a winner, I want to play to win”.
The buyout clause was quite large -- and he let me pay it over several years,” continued Campazzo, who considers his time in the NBA to be over. "I think this is a closed stage for me. I would say yes. My contract with Madrid ends when I am 37. I feel at home in Madrid."
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