The Dallas Mavericks took the first big swing of the NBA Draft, trading with the Atlanta Hawks for European phenom Luka Doncic, who they drafted with the third overall pick.
But the Mavs are still in the process of getting him on the court, as he is still negotiating a buyout with his former pro club, Real Madrid.
Article Continues Below“He has not participated in a live practice yet because he needs to have his buyout completed with Real Madrid,” said head coach Rick Carlisle, according to Dwain Price of Mavs.com. “We're getting close to getting those things done, but we're not there yet.”
Doncic will need to agree to a buyout first, then complete a full physical before starting negotiations with the Mavericks, who are eager to get him in Summer League.
The 19-year-old was the youngest-ever EuroLeague MVP and will likely want his due compensation after bringing the title back to Madrid, but if he plays his cards right, he's likely to see that money tenfold as his career takes off in the NBA, with salaries skyrocketing due to the new collective bargaining agreement and the overwhelming TV revenue raining down on the league.
As for Real Madrid, they would also like their cut.