ACB activates the right of first refusal with 14 players on the market

The right of first refusal has once again opened the doors of the Spanish transfer market after the official publication by the ACB last Monday. The domestic competition has unveiled the names of the fourteen players entering this negotiation window, triggering strategic movements throughout the Liga Endesa. This is a critical period that defines retention options and potential changes of direction for Spanish teams.

The established deadline is thirteen calendar days, until July 18, for rival clubs to submit formal offers for these professionals. Once the proposals are received, the original teams have an additional five days to match any external offer and keep their players. This mechanism ensures that Liga Endesa institutions have decision-making capacity in their squad movements.

Luwawu-Cabarrot, under the spotlight

Among the fourteen names included in the list are Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu, Eli Brooks, Devontae Cacok, Nikola Dzepina, Trent Forrest, Donta Hall, Braxton Key, Otis Livingston II, Kelan Martin, Derek Needham, Eugene Omoruyi, Devin Robinson, and Nikos Rogkavopoulos. However, one stands out above all: Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot.

The 31-year-old French shooting guard-forward, formerly of Baskonia, is the main target of summer speculations. As reported by Eurohoops, he is on the verge of signing with Real Madrid, one of the most important clubs in the EuroLeague. His inclusion in the official list grants the Vitoria-Gasteiz team the formal possibility to match any external offer, although both institutions have shown willingness to negotiate a direct purchase agreement to facilitate the transition.

Luwawu-Cabarrot's situation reflects how the right of first refusal works in practice: despite the equalization mechanism, clubs can opt for bilateral negotiations that benefit both parties. In this case, Baskonia and Real Madrid seem to be heading towards a consensual solution that respects regulatory procedures without generating unnecessary friction.

Seven professionals intending to return

Parallel to the right of first refusal process, seven players have officially expressed their intention to return to Spain for the upcoming 2026-27 season. This declaration obliges their respective Spanish clubs to consider various strategic options regarding the prospect of their return.

The names are Jorge Díaz Graham, Guillermo Díaz Graham, Mindaugas Kuzminskas, Eli Ndiaye, Jasiel Rivero, Mark Smith, and Arturs Zagars. Although these professionals will be free agents in the international market, their former Spanish clubs maintain significant negotiation power. They can match external offers or demand contract renewals as a way to retain their talent.

This dual mechanism of the right of first refusal creates a complex scenario where Liga Endesa teams have multiple options: retaining their players under current conditions, negotiating contract improvements, or allowing them to leave. Regulatory flexibility allows each situation to adapt to the particular circumstances of the player and club.

Rules and limits of the right of first refusal

It is essential to understand that the right of first refusal rule applies exclusively to transfers between Spanish clubs. This means that when a Liga Endesa player receives an offer from another national team, the original club has the right to match it. However, when the offer comes from abroad, the situation changes significantly.

In the case of Luwawu-Cabarrot, although Real Madrid is a Spanish club, the negotiation between Baskonia and the Madrid entity is governed by these rules. The fact that both are Liga Endesa teams activates the right of first refusal mechanism, allowing Vitoria-Gasteiz to have a say in the process. However, the willingness of both parties to reach a direct agreement streamlines administrative procedures.

For the seven players who have expressed their intention to return, the situation is different. As free agents, their former Spanish clubs cannot prevent them from signing with other international institutions. However, they retain the right to match offers from other Spanish clubs, placing them in an advantageous position to retain them or negotiate new terms.

Implications for the summer market

The publication of the list of first refusal marks the beginning of a hectic period in the Spanish transfer market. The fourteen mentioned players will trigger cascading movements: teams looking to retain them, others trying to acquire their services, and complex negotiations that can extend until late July.

Real Madrid, with its interest in Luwawu-Cabarrot, leads the most publicized operations. However, the rest of the clubs will also have to make decisions regarding the players on the list. Some will choose to retain them, others will allow them to leave, and some will seek renegotiations to improve current conditions.

For the seven professionals who wish to return to Spain, the landscape is equally dynamic. Their former clubs will have to assess if their services are still needed and if they are willing to compete with other offers they may receive. The economic capacity of each institution will play a decisive role in these decisions.

The right of first refusal, far from being a mere administrative formality, emerges as a strategic tool that allows Spanish clubs to maintain some control over their assets. While it does not prevent players from moving abroad, it does ensure that Liga Endesa institutions have the opportunity to intervene in internal movements, preserving the competitiveness of the domestic league.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, ACB activa el derecho de tanteo con 14 jugadores en el mercado