Minnesota Timberwolves Matteo Spagnolo to play for Aquila Basket Trento

The Minnesota Timberwolves added Euroleague shooting guard Matteo Spagnolo, by selecting him with the 50th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. It was a classic draft and stash scenario for the Timberwolves. As a result, the young shooting guard knew after the Timberwolves chose him that he would be playing in the European basketball league in the near future. But the young player, who is under contract with Real Madrid until early 2024, did not know where or for which team he would be playing.

He does now. He will be playing for Team Trento.

In Europe, it’s common for players under contract to be ‘loaned’ out to other teams in a way that is similar to how G-League teams will absorb contracts from NBA affiliates for players who are still a bit raw.

We had noted that at least four teams were linked to Spagnolo a week ago. One of the teams that sought Spagnolo, Team Trento, will be competing for the EuroCup this year. It was the fact that Team Trento is competing for the  EuroCup that placed Trento into the lead in negotiations for Spagnolo and eventually allowed them to emerge with an agreement in place.

If you are apt to do your own research, you will find Matteo Spagnolo’s name mentioned in the announcement by Aquila Basket Trento. That team is also known as Dolomiti Energia Trento, due to a sponsorship arrangement, and is an Italian professional basketball club based in Trent, Trentino.

Trento finished with a record of 11-19, and you can track their progress this upcoming season at this link.

Spagnolo will get valuable experience this season as he continues to compete in the Euroleague. Based on his current contract with Real Madrid, I expect that he will be signed to the Timberwolves roster in time for the 2024-25 season. Until then, he will continue to develop and will be someone we look in on from time to time.