Could another French basketball player be headed to the NBA? France has been the bearer of European NBA players over the last few seasons, with 19 Frenchmen playing in the Association this season.
2026 All-EuroLeague First Team Guard Making Jump To NBA?
While there have already been rumors of European stars thinking about coming across the pond this summer, a new name has emerged. According to Johnny Askounis of Eurohoops, Sylvain Francisco could make the jump to the NBA after a strong season with Lithuanian club Zalgiris.
“Rumors are everywhere, but right now I’m thinking about the NBA,” Francisco told Eurohoops.
Francisco has Zalgris up 2-0 against Utena Juventus in the Lithuanian Basketball League Finals. Francisco produced a career year this season, averaging 14.8 points, 5.9 assists, and 2.6 rebounds. He has drained 2.5 threes with shooting splits of 44.3/39.4/78.3.
Francisco is an athletic 6-2 point guard who is highly explosive and one of the best creators in the EuroLeague, thus keeping him on the NBA’s radar. The 2026 All EuroLeague First team selection produced six double-doubles and scored in double figures in 58 of his 73 appearances this season. He has scored 20 or more points on 17 occassions, topping the 30-point mark twice. Both times coming in EuroLeague play, including a 33-point, 11-assist double-double performance against Real Madrid.
Francisco has elite burst and shiftiness that allow him to create separation versus NBA-level players. Francisco has developed into a reliable three-point shooter off the dribble. The 28-year-old has made at least 100 triples in three straight seasons, shooting 37% or better in two of the three seasons. He has made at least one triple in all but five appearances this season and has made 5 or more treys five times.
Francisco excels in pick-and-rolls, and while not a great defender, he competes on that end and has active hands. His size is a bit of a concern on the defensive end, especially in terms of his ability to finish against more athletic, longer players. He has been compared to Tyus Jones and Kemba Walker lite.
NBA Teams That Could Be Interested In Sylvian Francisco
Francisco possesses French and American citizenship. Francisco was born in France but attended high school in the United States. Francisco decided to return to France in 2017 and play for Metropolitians 92 despite receiving interest from Division I programs. He has spent his entire professional career in Europe with his other teams, including Paris Basketball, Choroale Roanne, Baxi Manresa (Spain), Peristeri Betsson (Greece), and Bayern Munich (Germany).
Francisco went undrafted in 2019. However, he did participate in the 2023 NBA Summer League with the Milwaukee Bucks. He saw action in two games with the Bucks’ Las Vegas squad, totaling nine points, five assists, and four rebounds while shooting 25% from the field and 33.3% from the 3-point line.
It will be interesting to see if Francisco gets an NBA opportunity. Not that he doesn’t deserve a shot. But according to reports, he has a deal with French club ASVEL Basket worth 4 million Euros, making it the largest contract in the history of French basketball. ASVEL is coming off a disappointing 29-44 campaign, which included a last-place finish in the EuroLeague.
“Yes, despite everything, the main goal is the NBA,” Francisco said when asked about the reported deal with ASVEL. “Things can change, but that is the place I want to go. As I said, rumors are everywhere. Right now, I’m focused on the Finals.”
Who Are The Teams Potentially Interested In Francisco?
Like bigs, NBA teams are always looking for quality lead guards. So, there should be a market for Francisco. Here is a look at possible suitors. Francisco figures to be a backup in the NBA.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers need a backup point guard behind Darius Garland. Kris Dunn can serve in that role, but he started at shooting guard most of last season.
Phoenix Suns
Phoenix doesn’t have a true point guard on its roster for 2026-27 besides Jamaree Bouyea. Bouyea has a team option, and Francisco would be a better option.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks have some retooling to do on their roster. Ryan Rollins, in his first season as a full-time starter, had a career season. Meanwhile, Kevin Porter Jr., who can play either the one or the two, was highly productive but missed over half the season and is coming off a knee injury.
Miami Heat
Miami is considered the favorite in the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes. So, depending on whether the Heat pull the trigger, they will likely need to add depth in the backcourt. Not that he wouldn’t fit with the team as currently constructed, but they already have a smallish point guard in Davion Mitchell.
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors could use a veteran point guard to back up Stephen Curry. The Warriors only have nine players on the roster for 2026-27. Francisco figures to be a relatively cheap option.
Los Angeles Lakers
Depending on what happens with — LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Marcus Smart — this offseason, the Lakers could face a financial crunch and may need a backup point guard.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics love mature, plug-and-play lead guards. Francisco would provide depth behind Derrick White and Payton Pritchard.
Detroit Pistons
One of the Pistons’ goals this offseason is to add a secondary creator and ballhandler to play alongside or behind Cade Cunningham. Francisco may be an intriguing fit and option for the Pistons, who figure to start the season close to the luxury tax threshold.
Denver Nuggets
Denver has huge salary cap concerns with five players making over $20 million. So, expect the Nuggets, who have said every player besides Nikola Jokic is available, to look remarkably different than this past season. The Nuggets are always hunting undervalued Euro creators for their bench units.
Photo Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect
