By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Real Madrid has secured a two-year contract with French swingman Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, but the blockbuster move hinges on navigating Kosner Baskonia’s right of first refusal through Spain’s tanteo rule, according to Eurohoops sources.
This Liga Endesa administrative mechanism is similar to restricted free agency in the NBA, allowing teams to match any domestic offer sheet. In this case, Baskonia used the option to force an organized buyout negotiation rather than letting their star player leave for free.
While FC Barcelona also tried to sign him, the Vitoria-Gasteiz outfit was completely unwilling to negotiate with the other main suitor for the 31-year-old French guard-forward.
Luwawu-Cabarrot nearing a deal with Los Blancos was first reported by Donatas Urbonas for BasketNews. The impending agreement concludes his two-year stint with Baskonia.
Further establishing himself as a perimeter threat in the EuroLeague, the Cannes native is fresh off a spectacular 2025–26 season. He led Liga Endesa in scoring by averaging 18.1 points per game and earning a spot on the All-ACB First Team. Luwawu-Cabarrot also tallied 18.2 points per EuroLeague contest, alongside 3.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.1 blocks. Highly efficient shooting included 41.2% from the three-point range and 89.8% from the free-throw line.
A veteran of 114 appearances in Europe’s premier club competition over the last four years, the explosive wing previously played in the NBA. After being drafted with the 24th overall pick in 2016, he logged 343 games played with the Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Chicago Bulls, and Oklahoma City Thunder.
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