By Nick Moyle, Staff writer | San Antonio Express-News (SAEN), 2024-07-29 14:07:52
由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
2024年5月20日，德国新乌尔姆：在ratiopharm体育馆举行的篮球甲级联赛季后赛中，乌尔姆ratiopharm队的胡安·努涅斯在对阵维尔茨堡篮筐队的比赛中控球。(图片来自Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
在马刺队通过与步行者队的交易以第36顺位选中西班牙控球后卫胡安·努涅斯(Juan Nunez)几个小时后，总经理布赖恩·赖特(Brian Wright)称这位20岁的球员是2024届新秀中“最好的挡拆”指挥官。但球迷们何时才能看到他身披银黑战袍送出助攻，这一点还有些不确定。
上周五，努涅斯与西班牙顶级职业篮球联赛ACB联赛的巴塞罗那足球俱乐部签署了一份为期三年的合同，一份潜在的时间表也随之浮出水面。此举将使努涅斯继续处于马刺队的控制之下，并且不会占用球队的薪资空间。这也将使这位前途无量的年轻后卫能够在欧洲最杰出的球队之一获得有意义的出场时间，而不是在圣安东尼奥枯坐板凳或为马刺队在奥斯汀的发展联盟附属球队效力。
努涅斯的合同中包含一项NBA跳出条款，允许马刺队在三年合同到期之前向巴塞罗那足球俱乐部支付一笔费用，以便与他签约。如果老将控球后卫克里斯·保罗和特雷·琼斯在明年夏天成为非受限制自由球员，这对赖特来说可能是一个很有吸引力的选择。
“他是一位非常非常有天赋的控球后卫，传球技巧娴熟，”赖特在6月27日谈到努涅斯时说。“作为一名传球手和组织者，他可能是这届新秀中最好的挡拆球员。他很顽强，很有勇气，很有竞争力，他是一个赢家。而且他在最高的舞台上做到了这一点。在如此年轻的年纪，他已经在欧洲的早期职业生涯中取得了很多成就，我们期待着他取得更大的成就。”
长期以来，努涅斯一直以其掌控进攻和在球场上送出各种精妙传球的能力而备受赞誉。这位身高6英尺4英寸的后卫在年仅17岁时就代表皇家马德里队完成了职业首秀，并在2023-24赛季效力于德国乌尔姆ratiopharm队期间迎来了突破，在欧洲杯的比赛中，他场均得到10.4分、5.8次助攻、3.8个篮板和1.9次抢断，投篮命中率为50.5%，三分球命中率为36.1%。
这位马德里人还逐渐成长为西班牙国家队的后起之秀。在带领西班牙队夺得金牌后，努涅斯被评为2022年U20欧洲锦标赛最有价值球员，并且是2023年国际篮联篮球世界杯上代表成年国家队参赛的最年轻球员。他最初入选了西班牙2024年夏季奥运会的阵容，但后来被30岁的老将亚历克斯·阿布里内斯取代，后者最近已从膝伤中恢复。
2024年5月20日，德国新乌尔姆：在ratiopharm体育馆举行的篮球甲级联赛季后赛中，乌尔姆ratiopharm队的胡安·努涅斯在对阵维尔茨堡篮筐队的比赛中做出手势。(图片来自Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
2023年8月30日，在印度尼西亚雅加达的印度尼西亚竞技场体育馆举行的篮球世界杯G组比赛中，西班牙后卫胡安·努涅斯(24号)突破伊朗前锋皮特·吉尔戈里安(10号)和伊朗后卫贝赫纳姆·亚克查理(8号)的防守。(图片来自Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP via Getty Images)
点击查看原文：Spurs draft pick Juan Nunez signs 3-year deal with FC Barcelona
Spurs draft pick Juan Nunez signs 3-year deal with FC Barcelona
NEU-ULM, GERMANY - MAY 20: Juan Nunez of ratiopharm ulm controls the Ball during the Basketball Bundesliga Play Off match between Ratiopharm Ulm and Wurzburg Baskets at ratiopharm arena on May 20, 2024 in Neu-Ulm, Germany. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
A few hours after the Spurs drafted Spanish point guard Juan Nunez 36th overall via a trade with the Pacers, general manager Brian Wright billed the 20-year-old as the “best pick-and-roll” conductor in the 2024 rookie class. But there was some uncertainty as to when exactly fans would get to see him dishing assists in silver and black.
A potential timetable came into view last Friday when Nunez signed a three-year contract with FC Barcelona of Liga ACB, Spain’s top professional basketball league. That move will keep Nunez under the Spurs’ control and off the team’s books moving forward. It will also allow the promising young guard to play meaningful minutes for one of Europe’s preeminent franchises rather than riding the pine in San Antonio or playing for the Spurs’ G League affiliate in Austin.
Nunez’s deal includes an NBA out clause which permits the Spurs to pay FC Barcelona a fee if they intend to sign him to a contract before the three-year contract expires. That could become an attractive option for Wright next summer when veteran point guards Chris Paul and Tre Jones become unrestricted free agents.
“Really, really talented point guard. Crafty passer,” Wright said of Nunez on June 27. “He’s probably the best pick-and-roll player in the draft as a passer and creator. He’s tough. He’s got moxie. He’s competitive. He’s a winner. And he’s done it on the highest stage. At just a young age he’s already accomplished a lot in his early career in Europe, and we expect more to come.”
Nunez has long been lauded for his ability to steer the offense and spray inventive passes around the court. The 6-foot-4 guard debuted as a pro with Real Madrid at just 17 and enjoyed a breakout 2023-24 campaign with German club Ratiopharm Ulm, averaging 10.4 points, 5.8 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.9 steals while shooting 50.5% from the field and 36.1% from 3-point range in EuroCup competition.
The Madrid native has also blossomed into one of the Spanish national team’s rising stars. Nunez was named MVP of the 2022 Under-20 European Championship after leading Spain to gold and was the youngest player to compete for the senior team during the 2023 FIBA World Cup. He was originally selected to Spain’s 2024 Summer Olympics roster but was replaced by 30-year-old veteran Alex Abrines, who was recently cleared to return from a knee injury.
NEU-ULM, GERMANY - MAY 20: Juan Nunez of ratiopharm ulm gestures during the Basketball Bundesliga Play Off match between Ratiopharm Ulm and Wurzburg Baskets at ratiopharm arena on May 20, 2024 in Neu-Ulm, Germany. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Spain guard Juan Nunez (24) drives past Iran forward Piter Girgoorian (10) and Iran guard Behnam Yakhchali (8) during the Basketball World Cup group G match between Spain and Iran at the Indonesia Arena stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Aug. 30, 2023.
By Nick Moyle, Staff writer, via San Antonio Express-News