By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The lasting connection between Luka Doncic and Real Madrid is far from a secret to fans all around the world, well beyond EuroLeague and ACB followers. However, with the NBA Europe project constantly gaining traction en route to its debut in 2027 or 2028, an eventual reunion with Los Blancos seems much more marketable for the NBA.
In his recent interview with The Wall Street Journal, the youth product of the storied club based in the Spanish capital also talked with Jason Gay about possibly considering a return to wrap up his playing days with his first professional team.
“To play with Real Madrid, you have to be so good,” he explained, initially reluctant to provide a confident reply.
“For sure,” he added, replying to a question about whether he is tempted to reunite with Madrid at the end of his career, “They raised me.”
Before being selected with the third overall pick of the 2018 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks and traded to the Dallas Mavericks, Doncic joined the European powerhouse as a promising 13-year-old prospect from Ljubljana. After three brilliant campaigns at the junior level, he was promoted to the senior squad and launched his professional career in 2015. His rise continued with several Turkish Airlines EuroLeague accolades leading to a championship run, combined with season and Final Four Most Valuable Players nods for the 2017-18 journey.
Moving his talents to the NBA, he played for the Mavs for seven years until being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers last February. Fresh off his most recent FIBA action with Slovenia in EuroBasket 2025, the 2025-26 campaign will be his first full season with the storied franchise based in California.