Real Madrid’s Sergio Rodriguez, considered the top point guard in Europe, has plans to negotiate a return to the NBA in summer free agency, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
Front-office executives regard Rodriguez as an elite backup point guard in the NBA, a playmaker at 6-foot-3 who could successfully run a good team for significant stretches of time.
There is a buyout provision in Rodriguez’s Real Madrid contract, but sources familiar with the agreement say it will not be an obstacle to him signing an NBA deal this summer.
Rodriguez’s representatives at CAA began to make calls to teams Friday to gauge initial market interest on the guard, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
Rodriguez, 29, has played the past five years for Real Madrid in the Spanish ACB, where he was the consensus Euroleague Player of the Year in 2014.
Another top Euroleague guard, FC Barcelona’s Marcelo Huertas, told Yahoo Sports in April that he planned to join NBA free agency in July.
Rodriguez was a first-round pick of the Portland Trail Blazers in 2006, playing four seasons in the NBA with stops in Sacramento and New York. Rodriguez returned to Real Madrid of the Euroleague in 2010. His game has consistently grown overseas, and his decision to return to the NBA is already drawing significant interest.
Rodriguez led Real Madrid to the Euroleague Championship this season and currently is engaged in a series against FC Barcelona for the Spanish League title. Rodriguez has played a major role on the Spanish national team that has competed well in World Championships and Olympic games, partnering with the Gasol brothers, Ricky Rubio and Rudy Fernandez for significant success.
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