Gabriel Deck set for the NBA to join Oklahoma City Thunder

Real Madrid's Argentine small forward Gabriel Deck is set to leave Spain for the United States to play the final part of the season with Oklahoma City Thunder. The news, broke by journalist Chema de Lucas and which AS can confirm, comes just a couple of hours after Pablo Laso's Real Madrid qualified for the quarter finals of the Euroleague after beating Fenerbahçe in Istambul with Deck putting in an extraordinary display. The Argentinean leaves on a high note, following in the footsteps of his compatriot Facundo Campazzo, who joined Denver Nuggets back in November.

Over a year ago, AS reported that there was a high possibility that Deck could end up in the NBA. Contrary to Campazzo, who had to stump up a significant amount of money to free himself from his contract at Real Madrid, Deck's retention clause is around 1.5 million euros and his contract is due to expire in 2021 - although the club has the option to offer the player a two-year extension. Deck's move to the NBA is possible because the clause in his contract is not a fixed-term arrangement - unlike other contracts which can only executed in the summer or before certain dates.

Deck was the lowest earner among his Real Madrid team mates, and after failing to reach an agreement with the club to automatically renew at the end of the campaign, he has agreed a three-year deal with the Thunder. The Argentinean was seriously considering a move away in November 2020, but decided to stay on and delay his departure. While his petition for improved wages fell on deaf ears, the club paid the 1.5 million buy-out fee for Alberto Abalde.

Usman Garuba could the next Real Madrid player to move stateside, but much of that will depend on his position in the draft.