Jabari Parker set for Spain return: Former NBA lottery pick heading to Joventut Badalona on loan
Joventut is on the verge of signing Jabari Parker, who is expected to arrive in Spain soon Photo credit EuroLeague
The Jabari Parker saga in Belgrade is coming to an end. The 2.03m American forward, second pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, is set to leave Partizan Belgrade after joining the club last summer and could be returning to Catalonia. A loan agreement with Joventut Badalona is in the final stages, marking the player’s return to a championship and city he knows perfectly.
A mutual relief for all parties
Joventut’s sporting management has been active over the past three weeks to fill the void left by Sam Dekker. The former Houston player, who underwent shoulder surgery, had his contract terminated, forcing the Badalona club to search for a high-profile addition for the remainder of the season.
By targeting Jabari Parker, the current 8th-placed team in Liga Endesa (12 wins – 8 losses) would acquire a player looking for redemption. The club hopes to integrate Parker quickly so he’ll be ready for competition to resume on March 8th against Granada. The objective is clear: consolidate the team’s playoff position domestically and continue their momentum in the Champions League, where « Penya » currently dominates Group K of the Top 16, which includes Élan Chalon.
✅⏳Jabari Parker is set to leave KK Partizan and sign a contract on loan with Badalona until the end of the season.
Parker still has a contract with Partizan until 2027 and he earns $5M gross.
In this way Badalona pays the salary until June.#EuroLeague #kkp #KKPartizan pic.twitter.com/T02TfxNh4Z— Andrea Calzoni (@Andrea__Calzoni) February 23, 2026
Financial breakthrough enables the move
For Partizan and coach Joan Peñarroya, this loan departure resembles mutual relief. Parker’s stint in Serbia hasn’t gone as planned. He was notably severely criticized during the departure of emblematic coach Zeljko Obradovic, and the arrival of his former Barcelona coach didn’t change the dynamic.
According to Mozzart Sport, the financial agreement was the key point in negotiations. Joventut has agreed to take on a significant portion of the American’s substantial salary – Parker is under contract with Partizan until 2027 with a $5 million gross salary – allowing Partizan to reduce their payroll for the remainder of the 2025-2026 season.
Parker’s recent status tells the story: excluded from match sheets, absent from team training, and not selected for the Radivoj Korac Cup. His last appearance came on January 9th against his former club, FC Barcelona.
In Spain, the former Duke standout would return to Liga Endesa where he previously excelled with FC Barcelona between 2023 and 2025, averaging 12.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1 assist with a 12 efficiency rating in 23 minutes across 74 games. The Catalan club is hosting the Final Four in early May and wants to maximize their chances of participating and winning at home.
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