Partizan learns from its mistakes: Jabari Parker will train with the team

15/08/202619:08

Jabari Parker Napoli Basket- Partizan Belgrado Trofeo Carlo Lovari 2025 Lucca , 06/09/2025 Foto G.Grassi / Ciamillo-Castoria

The American forward, who remains under contract with the Serbian club, will be called up by Joan Peñarroya for the start of preseason. Parker will remain with the team while Partizan works to find a definitive solution for his future.

Jabari Parker will be among the players Joan Peñarroya calls up for the beginning of Partizan’s preseason, according to Sport Klub.

The Serbian club appears determined not to repeat last season’s situation with Iffe Lundberg, opting instead to have Parker work with the team while his future remains unresolved.

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The biggest contract in Partizan history

Parker joined Partizan from Barcelona last summer, signing a two-year deal that was reportedly the most lucrative contract in the club’s history.

The former No. 2 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft was expected to be a major addition, but his first season in Belgrade fell well short of expectations.

He finished the campaign on loan at Joventut Badalona, with the Spanish club covering only a small portion of his substantial salary.

Parker is not part of Peñarroya’s plans

The situation remains complicated.

Parker reportedly does not want to remain in Serbia, while Peñarroya does not appear to consider him part of his plans for the new project.

However, Parker is still under contract with Partizan.

As a result, he will begin preseason training with the rest of the squad and remain with the team until a definitive solution is reached in a saga that has been ongoing for several months.

Disappointing EuroLeague numbers

Parker appeared in 15 EuroLeague games last season, averaging just 7.7 points and 2.5 rebounds per game.

Those numbers were well below expectations for a player with his NBA résumé, having previously played for the Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings and Boston Celtics.

Partizan wants to avoid another Lundberg situation

Partizan’s decision to keep Parker with the team also appears to be linked to the club’s desire to avoid a repeat of the Iffe Lundberg situation.

Despite still being under contract last season, Lundberg was sent to Denmark to train individually, continuing to receive his salary away from the team until eventually transferring to Maccabi Tel Aviv.