Jabari Parker Won't Continue at Joventut: Badalona Calls Off Deal

The wait is over in Badalona. Jabari Parker will not wear a Joventut jersey next season, neither at the start of the campaign nor later. Sports director Jordi Martí confirmed this, calling off an operation the club had been working on since the end of the season.

Retaining the power forward from Chicago was one of the top priorities for the front office to bolster Dani Miret's interior game. And the interest was mutual: the American wanted to stay at the Olímpic, sharing the locker room with Ricky Rubio and Ante Tomic, with the added possibility of reuniting with Nico Laprovittola, with whom he played at Barcelona.

What He Delivered in Four Months

The frustration is understandable when looking at what he accomplished since his arrival. Parker landed on loan from Partizan on February 26, with the season already well underway, and needed just a few weeks to become a key piece. He averaged 12.3 points and 4.6 rebounds in the Liga Endesa regular season, elevated his numbers to 16 points and 5.8 rebounds in the Basketball Champions League, and maintained his level in the playoffs, with 13.2 points and 4.3 rebounds across six games.

There were moments that remained etched in Joventut's memory, like the three-pointer with eight seconds left in Tenerife that forced overtime and ultimately secured their playoff berth. The season ended in the playoff semifinals, with Badalona falling to Valencia Basket in the third game.

The Obstacle That Was Never Resolved

The problem, as had been pointed out since June, was not sporting. Parker's continuation depended on two fronts: resolving his contract with Partizan, the club that had to pay him a settlement, and the considerable financial effort it would take for Badalona's budget to retain a player of his caliber.

Neither was resolved in time. And with the market already well advanced and rosters nearly finalized, Joventut has opted to look elsewhere and seek alternatives for the power forward position.

What Lies Ahead for Parker

The 2014 draft's No. 2 pick now faces his third consecutive summer of uncertainty. At 31 years old, his next destination would be his fourth team during his European stint after Barcelona, Partizan, and Badalona itself, though Parker's camp also hasn't ruled out the Asian market, a region that in recent years has been absorbing former NBA players with contracts difficult to match in continental basketball.