Real Madrid head coach Chus Mateo rules out potential reinforcement in their roster, believing they got enough to finish the final stretch of the season well.
Real Madrid head coach Chus Mateo addressed the media ahead of the EuroLeague Round 27 El Clasico against FC Barcelona, confirming the departure of former NBA guard Dennis Smith Jr. from the team, a decision not yet made public by the Spanish club.
Smith Jr. signed with Madrid on January 16 but struggled with poor physical condition and an injury, making his debut only on February 2 against Joventut.
"He's a player who is no longer here," coach Mateo said via MARCA. "We have 14 players who are going to fight from here until the end of the season and who I really count on to have a good finish.
"Dennis Smith Jr. has not had the adaptation that he would have liked, nor has he adapted to our way of doing things or our way of playing basketball, but he cannot be accused of any lack of professionalism or anything like that," Mateo added.
In two EuroLeague appearances with Madrid against Anadolu Efes and Fenerbahce, Smith Jr. posted 4.0 points and 1.5 rebounds in 10:19 minutes of playing time.
With this announcement, Mateo ruled out the possibility of signing a new player before the February 26 deadline.
Currently, Real Madrid is sitting in 11th place in the EuroLeague with a 13-13 record, three wins shy of the sixth seed, which would secure a playoff spot without requiring a play-in game.
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