Baskonia’s Italian player Luca Vildoza (L) fights for the ball with ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne’s French player Moustapha Fall (R) during the Euroleague basket ball match between ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne and TD Systems Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, on January 27, 2021 at the Astroballe Arena, in Villeurbanne. (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD / AFP)
The New York Knicks and Argentine point guard Luca Vildoza have agreed in principle on a four-year, $13.6 million deal, the player’s agent told ESPN.
Alex Saratsis of Octagon Sports said his client will fly to New York from Spain, where he plays for Baskonia in the Spanish ACB League, once he clears the immigration process.
One of Europe’s premier playmakers, the 25-year-old Vildoza was expected to be one of the top free agents available after the 2020-21 season. According to the report, the Knicks had both the salary-cap room and the open roster space needed to get a jump on the competition and sign him now.
New York has reportedly negotiated a buyout with Baskonia to acquire the 6-foot-3 Vildoza, who led his team to a championship was named MVP of the 2020 Spanish ACB finals.
Internationally, Vildoza has helped Argentina win a gold medal at the 2019 Pan American Games and silver medals at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup and 2017 FIBA AmeriCup.
–Field Level Media