Luka Doncic validated the recruitment of Nicolo Melli

Arrived with JJ Redick in exchange for James Johnson during the last moments of the “trade deadline”, Nicolo Melli finds playing time and a framework that suit him.

The 30-year-old was having a complicated second year in Louisiana, to the point of requesting his transfer after playing just 21 of his team’s 42 games for an average playing time of 11 minutes.

Adopted by the team

Present during the easy victory against Oklahoma City, Nicolo Melli gave satisfaction to his teammates, including Luka Doncic. “He’s an incredible player. We found each other well from the first moments ” has explained the Dallas superstar on the club’s official website. “He’s a good fit for the locker room. It’s hard to play his first game with a new team and he did well. He produced great basketball. “

Author of 6 points and 3 rebounds and 1 interception in 11 minutes, Nicolo Melli presented a very clean copy in the image of his 3/4 shooting. The Italian shooter seems pretty happy with his debut alongside a Luka Doncic looking to put him at ease.

“Luka is one of those unique players who makes it easy for his teammates. It’s better to be on your team than to have it against you. On my first shot, he had the opportunity to take an easy shot but he gave it to me to get me in rhythm so it’s easy to play with him. I think it’s going to be fun to play alongside them. They made me feel very welcome, it’s a good group and I feel very good there. “

One more European in Dallas

Trained in Europe, Luka Doncic had faced the Italian when he played for Fenerbahçe, and it is for this reason that the Slovenian approved the decision of his leaders when they consulted him on this recruitment.

“He will have the opportunity to fight to gain minutes as a substitute. I went to see Luka last week, he remembered him in Europe and he only said good things to me so we think it’s a good transfer from us ” says Donnie Nelson.

The president of the Mavs hopes that the Italian will follow in the footsteps of Maxi Kleber, another European who has been able to acclimatize in order to be firmly established in the rotation today. “I think if you look at the success that Maxi Kleber is having right now, you can see it as kind of a role model for him to follow. He is a player who can shoot from a distance and he is a good teammate capable of playing in several positions, whether it is a strong winger or a pivot. “

While waiting for JJ Redick, for the moment stuck in the infirmary, Tim Hardaway Jr. wants his new teammate to bring in both attack and defense.

“He was good with and without the ball. Defensively, he can “switch” on everyone because he has very good mobility. We want him to be aggressive, to punish when he’s open, to dribble when he needs to, and to do the right thing. He looked comfortable when he was on the pitch so we’re happy for him. “

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