What happened: A source close to the talks tells @TheSteinLine that Spanish guard Sergio De Larrea intends to come directly to the NBA for the 2026-27 season, calling it "the plan." De Larrea, the No. 25 overall pick, suits up for the Mavericks' summer league team in Las Vegas next week. He arrives after helping Valencia capture the Spanish ACB title.
Why it matters: Bringing De Larrea over immediately rather than stashing him overseas signals Dallas sees him as part of the near-term rotation picture. For a late first-round pick, an accelerated NBA timeline reflects the confidence the front office has in his readiness after a championship run in one of Europe's top leagues.
What to watch: Summer league in Las Vegas next week offers the first look at De Larrea in a Mavericks uniform and a read on how quickly he can adjust to the NBA game.