Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot Finally Headed to Real Madrid: Agreement in Principle Reached
Liga Endesa - Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot is joining Real Madrid. The French international, who was the top scorer in the Liga Endesa this season with 18.1 points per game, has reached an agreement in principle for two years with the Spanish capital club, subject to Baskonia's right of first refusal.
Photo Credit : acb Photo / Aitor Bouzo
After an exceptional season with Baskonia, Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot (6’6″, 31 years old) was close to joining FC Barcelona but has ultimately chosen their rival. The French forward has reached an agreement in principle with Real Madrid for a two-year contract, according to multiple sources. However, the signing could still face some twists.
2025-2026 Stats / EuroLeague
PTS
18.3
#4
REB
3.4
#82
AST
1.9
#91
Baskonia Activates Their Right of First Refusal
In the Liga Endesa, the tanteo rule allows a club to negotiate matching a deal a player has agreed to elsewhere, similar to restricted free agency in the NBA. Baskonia has decided to activate this right rather than letting their player leave without compensation. They will now be able to negotiate a buy-out to allow him to join the Spanish capital club. FC Barcelona had also made an attempt to sign TLC, but the Basque club refused to enter negotiations with their Catalan rivals, closing that door definitively.
The situation therefore remains one to watch, even though the agreement in principle with Real Madrid appears solid. In the meantime, Luwawu-Cabarrot is with the French national team for the 2027 World Cup qualifying campaign. He is set to play this Monday evening in Pau in a final first-round game against Finland. On Friday evening, he started against Belgium.
5
PTS
0
REB
0
AST
A Standout Season Before Joining the Bernabéu
The French wing appears to be at the peak of his career. In 2025-2026, Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot simply finished as the top scorer in the Liga Endesa with 18.1 points per game, and was named to the All-League First Team. He also finished fourth in the MVP trophy standings, which was won by his potential future teammate Mario Hezonja.
In the EuroLeague, his stats off the bench were impressive: 18.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game, with a remarkable 41.2% from three-point range and 89.8% from the free-throw line. Numbers that make him one of the best forwards on the continent at his position.
With 114 EuroLeague games over the past four seasons following an NBA career spanning 343 official appearances — with the Nets, Hawks, 76ers, Bulls and Thunder after being drafted 24th overall in 2016 — the former Antibes player brings Real Madrid the profile of a slashing forward who can shoot and defend at a high level.
At Real Madrid, he would reunite with Théo Maledon, who has been with the squad since the summer of 2025. His arrival could also open the door for Mario Hezonja to leave, as the Croatian forward is under a three-year deal with Real Madrid but a return to the NBA is reportedly being explored.
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Gabriel Pantel-Jouve is the founder and editor-in-chief of BeBasket, which he has been running since 2010 (formerly known as Catch & Shoot). Having studied at the École Publique de Journalisme de Tours and two universities in North America, he has developed his expertise in French basketball, from the National League to amateur divisions, over the past 20 years. Alongside this, he is also involved in the development of clubs in the Montpellier area.
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