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Spanish Star Considers NBA as Next Option

Playing for the American NBA league is a remote dream for many professional European players, and top basketball player from every league is trying their best to score an NBA contract. Spanish international Juan Carlos Navarro might be very close to realizing his dream to play in the NBA. Navarro was the MVP of the Spanish ACB season, which is considered the best pro league in the world after the NBA.

The 26-year-old player led Barcelona into the European Final Four and had a brilliant career so far. He will enter FIBA World Championship in Japan in August as one of the best players in Europe, and now hopes to expand his professional career overseas to the United States as well. "The NBA is a door that I don`t shut," he said. "I have been at Barcelona for many years and for the first time this year, I am considering the possibility of going to the NBA."

NBA elements have been looking at Navarro for several years now with his NBA rights being held by the Washington Wizards. The problem seems to be financial. Barcelona has a buyout clause of about $13 million in Navarro`s contract. However, NBA teams are allowed to pay up to $350,000 in buyout fees. Barcelona isn`t too happy to give up on their key player for such a low figure, and said that it will not reduce Navarro`s buyout.