The possibility that Argentine guard Facundo Campazzo will make the move to the NBA this offseason has “never looked more likely,” league sources tell Marc Stein of The New York Times (Twitter link).
Campazzo remains under contract with Real Madrid, but the Spanish club has known for a few months that the 29-year-old intends to seek an NBA deal, Stein reports. According to Stein (Twitter link), Campazzo’s deal with Real Madrid includes a substantial buyout, but an NBA team can pay up to $725K of that buyout, and the veteran point guard plans to forego $1.2 million Euros between now and October to help facilitate the move.
A two-time EuroLeague champion and three-time Spanish League champ, Campazzo has a decorated international résumé that also includes four Argentine League championships, a EuroCup Defensive Player of the Year award, and a silver medal in the 2019 World Cup.
In 28 EuroLeague games in 2019/20, Campazzo averaged 9.9 PPG and 7.1 APG (second behind Nick Calathes‘ 9.1). His three-point percentage slipped to 31.0% but he’s typically a reliable outside shooter, knocking down 37.5% of his tries from beyond the arc over the previous two EuroLeague seasons.
An April report indicated that the Spurs and Mavericks are among the NBA teams that have interest in Campazzo, though his agent later suggested that they’re hardly the only ones.
“In the past two years, during the season, NBA scouts have spoken to me a thousand times,” agent Claduio Villanueva said at the time. “… If the NBA does not keep an eye on one of the best, it would be crazy. But there is nothing concrete, there is nothing spoken.”
Hmmm … interesting story. Almost 30, 5-10 and stats don’t jump out at me. In fact his field goal percentage and 3-point percentage leave much to be desired.
But I looked a little deeper and his playoff record is outstanding for some reason. He really steps up his game. His shooting percentage is above 50% and his 3-point shot is dead eye. Could be one of those guys that excels on a larger stage and thrives under pressure? Would be fun to see him in the NBA and see how it goes.
Houston wasted over $2M buying the NBA rights for his teammate Sergio Llull over 10 years ago. Neither of these guys would be anything more than a mediocre backup PG for a team that’s desperate for a veteran to help develop a young starter.
Stats don’t jump out for sure. But one stat that might make up a little for that is he only averages 23 mins per game. With almost 10pts and 5 ast 2 rebs and shoots 81%from the line. He could definitely help an NBA team who needs a point guard or Backup point guard.
Yes but then the next question is why only 23 minutes per game? Has he not separated himself much from the other point guards on the roster? Or is his team that good that they blow everybody out and the bench plays a lot of minutes? I guess there’s one way to find out, and that’s for an NBA team to give him a contract and let’s see.
Mavs are going to have an all Euro team eventually
Oh yeah he’s a Mav! They live for tiny pgs who can’t play defense. And yes this is coming from a mavs fan -_-
EuroCup defensive player of the year?
He’s experienced PG. Small fir NBA. But has smarts and competes. He would make a solid backup.
Sounds a bit like Shane Larkin when he played for Dallas and Boston
Only for a team desperate for a veteran backup PG.
He would star for Lakers right now