According to AS.com, a Spanish sports publication, the Denver Nuggets have shown interest in Real Madrid point guard Facundo Campazzo.
Campazzo is one of the best players on the Real Madrid roster and has been for three of the last four seasons. Playing on the same roster as former NBA players in Sergio Llull, Rudy Fernandez, Anthony Randolph, Gustavo Ayon, and more, Real Madrid is one of the best teams in the Spanish ACB league, and Campazzo is their primary facilitator. He averaged 10.4 points, 4.9 assists, and 1.4 steals in 23.9 minutes per game during the 2018-19 Spanish ACB league season.
Much like Milos Teodosic, a veteran point guard who played for the Los Angeles Clippers the last two seasons, it’s clear that Campazzo has the skills to play in the NBA. Still, it’s unclear whether Campazzo has the requisite size and athleticism to survive in this league. Standing at just 5’11 and weighing 165 pounds (according to RealGM) Campazzo is undersized and might struggle creating the same kinds of shots for himself and others at the NBA level. It’s certainly possible for him to be successful at a smaller size, as guys like J.J. Barea and Isaiah Thomas have proven, and given the Spanish connections the Nuggets have on the current roster (Juancho Hernangomez and Jordi Fernandez) it might make Campazzo’s transition to the NBA easier if he does indeed come to the NBA.
I speculated on Monday that the Nuggets would focus on signing a third string point guard during free agency, particularly a veteran point guard. Campazzo fits the bill, and given Denver’s various foreign connections over the years, I wouldn’t be surprised if this rumor is legit and Denver makes Campazzo an offer he can’t refuse.
