Real Madrid wants to steal Luwawu-Cabarrot from Baskonia
The 31-year-old French forward was also pursued by FC Barcelona.
Real Madrid has reached an agreement with French forward Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot for a two-season contract, but the operation is on hold as Kosner Baskonia decides whether to exercise its right of first refusal. According to Eurohoops sources, the Vitoria-Gasteiz team has the power to match the Real Madrid's proposal or negotiate the terms of the player's departure under the prevailing matching rule in the Spanish Liga Endesa.
This administrative mechanism functions similarly to restricted free agency in the NBA, allowing Spanish teams to match any national offer made for their players. Instead of letting the Frenchman go uncompensated, Baskonia has chosen to trigger this option to force negotiation with Los Blancos, adding an additional administrative step to the transfer process.
Competition between two giants for the French forward
The signing of Luwawu-Cabarrot has sparked interest among the top Spanish clubs. FC Barcelona also attempted to acquire the services of the Cannes native, but the Vitoria-Gasteiz team showed willingness to negotiate with Real Madrid as the main contender. The player's age, 31 years, has not been an obstacle for two of the greatest powers in Spanish basketball to compete for his signing.
The imminent agreement between Luwawu-Cabarrot and Real Madrid would conclude his two-year stint with Kosner Baskonia, where he has solidified his status as one of the premier scorers in Liga Endesa. The initial report on this operation was disclosed by Donatas Urbonas through BasketNews, confirming the impending move.
Exceptional season in Liga Endesa
The 2025-26 season has been outstanding for Luwawu-Cabarrot, who has emerged as a consistent perimeter threat in the EuroLeague. The French forward led Liga Endesa in scoring with an average of 18.1 points per game, earning him a spot on the All-ACB First Team, the competition's highest individual recognition.
In the EuroLeague, his performance has been equally impressive. Luwawu-Cabarrot averaged 18.2 points per game, along with 3.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.1 blocks. His offensive efficiency has been particularly noteworthy: he shot 41.2 percent from three-point range and 89.8 percent from the free-throw line, showcasing offensive versatility that makes him a valuable asset for any competitive team.
NBA career and European experience
Luwawu-Cabarrot boasts extensive experience in top European competitions. He has played in 114 EuroLeague games over the past four years, establishing himself as a veteran of the continent's premier club competition. Before his stint in Spanish basketball, the French forward played in the NBA, where he was selected 24th overall in the 2016 draft.
During his time in the American league, Luwawu-Cabarrot appeared in 343 games for the Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Chicago Bulls, and Oklahoma City Thunder. His NBA experience, coupled with his current performance in Liga Endesa and the EuroLeague, positions him as a high-level signing for Real Madrid, provided Baskonia resolves its right of first refusal.
The resolution of this administrative process will determine whether Real Madrid can immediately add the player to its roster or if it must wait for Kosner Baskonia to decide on matching the offer or allowing his departure. In any case, Luwawu-Cabarrot represents a significant offensive reinforcement for the Madrid-based team in its aim to compete in Liga Endesa and the EuroLeague.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El Real Madrid quiere robarle al Baskonia a Luwawu-Cabarrot
