Luka Doncic joins forces with former Mavericks executive in major basketball venture

The Los Angeles Lakers star, Luka Doncic, is investing in the future of European basketball, teaming up with former Dallas Mavericks executive Donnie Nelson to acquire Italian club Vanoli Cremona and relocate it to Rome ahead of the 2026-27 season.The announcement arrives at an important moment for basketball in Europe. With the NBA and FIBA actively exploring a new continental league, Rome has emerged as one of the cities expected to play a central role in those plans. For Doncic, whose basketball roots were built in Europe long before he became an NBA superstar, the project represents both a business opportunity and a personal ambition years in the making.The partnership brings together two familiar names with a shared history. Nelson was serving as the Mavericks' president of basketball operations when Dallas acquired Doncic on draft night in 2018. Nearly a decade later, the pair have reunited to pursue a different challenge.Nelson is the lead investor and managing partner of the ownership group that purchased Vanoli Cremona, a club competing in Italy's top professional basketball league. Joining them are respected Italian coach Valerio Bianchini and former European standout Rimantas Kaukėnas.Their vision extends beyond simply owning a basketball team. As part of the transaction, the club will move from Cremona to Rome and begin competing there starting with the 2026-27 season. The ownership group has also submitted a bid to make the franchise Rome's representative in the proposed NBA Europe competition.For Doncic, the investment carries deep personal meaning."I have dreamed about owning a team in Europe for a long time, to finally have this happen is amazing," Dončić said in a statement. "Vanoli has a great history, and we are ready to take it to the next level in Rome. We have an amazing group of partners, and I really believe we can do something special for basketball in Italy and Europe."The statement reflects a connection that has always been central to Doncic's journey. Before becoming an NBA star, the Slovenian guard developed into one of Europe's brightest young talents while playing professionally for Real Madrid.The timing of the purchase is hardly accidental.Earlier this year, NBA commissioner Adam Silver confirmed that the league and FIBA are working together on NBA Europe, a competition that could launch as soon as 2027. Current discussions center around a league featuring up to 16 clubs, including 12 permanent members and four qualifying teams.Rome is widely viewed as one of the strongest candidate cities, alongside basketball hubs such as Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, London, Munich, Milan, Athens and Istanbul. The Italian capital has lacked a top-flight professional team since Virtus Roma's financial collapse in 2020, leaving a noticeable gap in one of Europe's largest sports markets.Nelson believes the city is ready for a revival."Rome deserves world-class basketball, and we are excited to be bringing it back," Nelson said in a statement. "Vanoli Cremona has a proud history, and we are committed to honoring that legacy as we build toward an exciting future in Rome. This city has been without top-flight basketball for too long. That changes now. We are bringing the resources, the expertise, and the passion to make this club a source of pride for Rome and for all Italy."Their project is not only about relocating a club. It is about positioning Rome at the center of what could become the next major chapter in European basketball.