What’s Luka Really Planning? Lakers Star Eyes Italian Franchise

Luka Dončić is reportedly part of an investor group, led by former Dallas Mavericks general manager Donnie Nelson, that aims to bring an NBA Europe franchise to Rome. The group has a preliminary agreement to purchase the Italian Serie A club Vanoli Basket Cremona, which provides the necessary league license for the new venture.

The plan involves relocating the franchise approximately 330 miles south to Rome, a city identified by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver as a key market for the projected 2027 launch of NBA Europe. Rome currently lacks a top-division basketball team, presenting a significant opportunity in a major European capital.

The NBA Europe initiative represents a major financial undertaking, with reported franchise fees exceeding $1 billion in markets like London and attracting interest from major investment firms. Dončić, as a global superstar with deep roots in European basketball, is seen as an ideal ambassador for this expansion, investing not just in a team but in the development of the European basketball infrastructure.

Other former NBA stars like Tony Parker and Pau Gasol are also involved or interested in leadership roles within the new league. While logistical hurdles—such as NBA ownership rules for active players and Italian league regulations—remain, the group led by Nelson and Dončić is moving forward with the ambitious plan to establish a flagship franchise in Rome.

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