There’s unhealthy information from Spain. Barcelona guard and Spurs former second-round choose Juan Nuñez will bear exploratory arthroscopic surgical procedure in his proper knee after having a setback in his restoration from an operation to repair a torn meniscus, the membership introduced.
The Spurs chosen Nuñez, a extremely touted worldwide level guard who developed in Actual Madrid’s academy and the Spanish youth nationwide groups, with the thirty sixth choose within the 2024 draft. The thought was to stash the then 20-year-old in Barcelona, which acquired his rights after he had a robust season enjoying within the German league for Ratiopharm Ulm. He reportedly had an NBA out clause to affix the Spurs in the event that they have been . Sadly, issues haven’t gone in line with plan to date.
Nuñez joined a stacked Barcelona staff and struggled to get minutes. When he was on the ground, he confirmed flashes of brilliance in addition to some infamous weaknesses. It was later revealed that he had been enjoying by a knee harm that required season-ending surgical procedure in March and saved him out of consideration for EuroBasket, the place Spain dissatisfied. He spent the summer time recovering, performed throughout preseason, and was anticipated to be an choice early within the European season, which begins on September 30.
Sadly, there was irritation in Nuñez’s proper knee that didn’t subside with conservative remedy, leaving exploratory surgical procedure as the most suitable choice. It’s a process that ought to assist determine what the difficulty is, which is an effective factor in the long run. Within the brief time period, nevertheless, it ought to sideline him for longer and will result in him struggling to seek out enjoying time as soon as he’s wholesome. Barcelona received former Spur Nicolas Laprovittola again from harm and signed Argentinian guard Juan Marcos within the offseason. They nonetheless have Tomas Satoransky, Kevin Punter, and Dario Brizuela, who’s additionally recovering from an harm, which he suffered at Eurobasket. Competitors for backcourt minutes needs to be fierce.
Nuñez’s harm, mixed with the Spurs’ logjam at level guard, made the leap to the NBA this season not possible, so the information doesn’t actually have an effect on San Antonio’s plans for 2025/26. The younger ground common continues to be simply 21 years previous, so it might be silly to depend him out as a possible NBA participant. There was a purpose he was thought of such an intriguing prospect when he was a teen, and whereas he has his detractors, the truth that a Euroleague staple like Barcelona has invested in him reveals the expertise continues to be there.
The torn meniscus and this new setback, nevertheless, are worrisome. Even when he makes a full restoration and doesn’t lose his already restricted athleticism within the course of, he’s lacking out on essential developmental minutes. Hopefully, he can return to motion quickly and get his profession again on monitor, turning into a sensible depth choice for the Spurs sooner moderately than later.
