By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After shortlisting Lonnie Walker IV and Daniel Theis, Real Madrid switched focus to Chuma Okeke to boost the power forward position, heading to the 2025-26 installments of the EuroLeague and domestic competitions in Spain, and reached an agreement with the former NBA player, as reported by Spanish outlet Encestando on Saturday.
In a situation similar to the previous approach, early in the 2024-25 season, Walker accepted an offer by Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv, since Los Blancos reportedly refused to pay him two million euros net for a two-year contract with an NBA-out clause. Meanwhile, Theis is now expected to stay with AS Monaco through the second year of his contract.
Therefore, Okeke will be the next official signing, following Theo Maledon, David Kramer, and, most recently, Gabriele Procida. The Atlanta native is penning a two-year contract with an NBA-out available next summer, according to the latest update on talks with the team based in the Spanish capital. Similar options were placed on the contracts of Maledon and Procida, as noted.
Expanding his career overseas, 26-year-old Okeke will debut in the EuroLeague and Spain’s Liga Endesa, after making his way to 203 NBA games between spells with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, and Philadelphia 76ers over the last five years. Back in 2019, he was the 15th pick of the NBA draft, coming out of Auburn.
Besides newcomers, Alberto Abalde, Facundo Campazzo, Gabriel Deck, Andres Feliz, Bruno Fernando, Usman Garuba, Mario Hezonja, Sergio Llull, and Walter Tavares are returning players for the team guided by new head coach Sergio Scariolo.