Real Madrid has sealed one of the most anticipated signings of the summer in Spanish basketball. Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot is officially a Real Madrid player after several days of intense negotiations that have left Barcelona out of the running for the French winger. The Merengue club announced on Thursday the arrival of the veteran French shooter, who joins from Baskonia on a contract that will bind him to Movistar Arena until June 2028.

From Baskonia star to Madrid's offensive reference

Luwawu-Cabarrot has enjoyed a dream season in Vitoria that makes him Madrid's most exciting summer signing. The Frenchman closed the last Euroleague campaign with outstanding averages of 18.2 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, accompanied by a 41% success rate from three-point range, according to mundodeportivo.com. In the Endesa League, his offensive output was even more lethal: he became the competition's leading scorer with an average of 18.1 points.

His contribution was also decisive in the Copa del Rey won by Baskonia. In the final, precisely against Real Madrid, the winger put up eye-catching numbers: 28 points and 32 efficiency points. That performance, paradoxically, was the starting gun for the whites to accelerate negotiations and sign him before the competition—especially Barcelona—could snatch him away.

The battle for Luwawu-Cabarrot: Madrid wins the race

During the summer transfer window, Luwawu-Cabarrot's name has been linked to several major European projects. Barcelona showed particular interest in adding the Frenchman to its offensive arsenal, and ASVEL Villeurbanne was also closely following developments in his situation. However, Real Madrid proved faster and more decisive in the final stretch of negotiations.

To make room for the French winger, the whites have orchestrated the departure of German David Kramer, who has joined Red Star. With this move, Pedro Martínez adds his second summer signing following the arrival of Jaime Pradilla. The coach strengthens the perimeter offense with a player who combines the best of both worlds: athletic ability, shot reliability and consistency under pressure.

A career filled with elite-level experience worldwide

At 31 years old, Luwawu-Cabarrot arrives at the Madrid project at the best moment of his career. His résumé speaks for itself: after being selected at 24th in the 2016 Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, he has worn the jerseys of some of the NBA's best teams, including Oklahoma City Thunder, Chicago Bulls, Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks.

His return to European competition has been strategic, passing through Armani Milan before establishing himself at Baskonia. Now, he will share a dressing room at Movistar Arena with his compatriot Théo Maledon, with whom he also shares the experience of playing for the French national team. This French connection in the white shirt could prove key to easing the new signing's adaptation.

What changes now for Real Madrid?

Madrid strengthens its offensive arsenal just as many observers expected Barcelona to close on its primary summer target. With Luwawu-Cabarrot, the whites gain in three-point shooting reliability and in that ability to score from anywhere that modern European basketball so values.

The next question is: what will be Barcelona's response now that they have missed out on their priority target?