Spurs’ second round pick Juan Nuñez signs with Barcelona

The point guard will be stashed in Europe, where he could develop into an intriguing piece for the rebuilding Spurs.

One of the Spurs’ 2024 draft picks has found his new team. Juan Nuñez, who San Antonio selected with the 36th overall pick they acquired from the Pacers via trade, will play next season with Barcelona, the Spanish club announced.

Nuñez played for Ulm in Germany last season, competing in the domestic league and the Eurocup, the continent’s second-best international club competition. Now the promising point guard will return to his native Spain to suit up for one of the most recognizable and successful teams in European basketball, a clear step up in his career. After spending his teenage years playing for Real Madrid, he will join their archrival on a stacked roster featuring several former NBA players who will attempt to secure a EuroLeague title. He signed a three-year deal that likely has an NBA out, according to previous reports.

The Spurs traded the 35th pick to the Pacers, who used it in Johnny Furphy, for the 36th pick that landed them Nuñez. Initially, rumors from Spain suggested that San Antonio was considering bringing him over immediately, but those subsided once Chris Paul signed with the Silver and Black. From then on Nuñez was linked strongly to Barcelona, which ended up securing his services. There was some uncertainty over whether he was going to actually sign with the Blaugrane because Barcelona and Real Madrid had a conflict over former lottery pick Mario Hezonja and Madrid had the right to match any offer for Nuñez, but the operation went through. Nuñez is also dating one of the daughters of the head of basketball operations for Barcelona, Juan Carlos Navarro, so the move had more scrutiny than most.

Nuñez should get minutes for Barca since the club parted ways with point guard Rokas Jokubaitis and Ricky Rubio. He will have to compete with former Spur Nicolas Laprovittola and Tomas Satoransky, but Nuñez is considered one of the young jewels of Spanish basketball and Barcelona made a big investment in him, so he should get every opportunity to claim playing time. The 6’4” pick-and-roll playmaker will have great partners to run the two-man game, as former lottery pick Jan Vesely and Willy Hernangomez are there to set picks for him. Among other names NBA fans might be familiar with, Nuñez will also share a locker room with Alex Abrines, Jabari Parker and Justin Anderson. The team will look to compete in the domestic league as well as the EuroLeague and has the talent to make noise next season.

After barely missing out on being a part of Spain’s national team in the Olympics, staying in Europe playing for a team that has a quality roster and should have a role for him seems the best step for Nuñez’s development. The Spurs simply have too many guards right now who need minutes or development time and the 20-year-old could have not gotten the attention and playing time he needs as the team attempts to be more competitive in the short term. If he lives up to his upside, Nuñez will find his way to San Antonio when he’s more NBA-ready and the franchise has a spot for him. Stashing Nuñez could also allow the Silver and Black to sign him as he enters his prime instead of having to help round out his game. The talent is there for Nuñez to be a steal, but it might take him a while to get there.

We will bring you regular updates once Nuñez’s season starts.