Tony Parker continues to hold an ambitious long-term vision for LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne despite the financial problems that have already dismantled a significant part of the club's planned 2026-27 roster.
The four-time NBA champion revealed that his ultimate goal is to guide ASVEL to a title in the upcoming NBA Europe competition.
"My dream would be to win with ASVEL one day and become NBA Europe champion," Parker said in an interview with Legend. "That would be huge."
Parker sees major business opportunity
Parker's interest in NBA Europe extends beyond the possibility of adding another championship to his resume.
The former San Antonio Spurs point guard believes that ASVEL's involvement in the proposed competition could dramatically increase the club's sporting and financial value.
"I think the best investment, if everything goes well, will be ASVEL with NBA Europe," Parker added.
However, Parker's comments come during a turbulent period for the French club, whose ambitious summer project has already undergone significant changes.
ASVEL’s ambitious project quickly falls apart
Sylvain Francisco
Sylvain Francisco
Parker initially confirmed that Sylvain Francisco, Armoni Brooks, Nick Weiler-Babb, Daniel Theis, and Both Gach would join ASVEL as part of an expensive roster overhaul for the 2026-27 season.
Francisco officially signed a three-year contract and was expected to become the face of the new project. However, only one month later, the French guard moved on to Panathinaikos Athens.
Brooks was also officially signed to a two-year deal after earning Italian League MVP honors with Olimpia Milan. The American guard has since been sent to Valencia Basket on loan without playing a game for ASVEL.
Theis was another player publicly confirmed by Parker as part of the project, but the German center ultimately signed with Maccabi Tel Aviv instead.
Those moves have left Parker's original roster vision looking significantly different before the 2026-27 season has even begun.
Budget reduced from €59 million to €24 million
Tony Parker
Credit Getty Images via AFP/Scanpix
ASVEL's problems began after the club was forced to revise its financial plan.
The organization initially projected a budget of approximately €59 million, including between €20 million and €25 million for player salaries. However, it later submitted a backup plan worth around €24 million after a potential investor failed to provide the required financial guarantees.
That change made it impossible for the club to maintain the expensive roster Parker had assembled around Francisco, Brooks, Weiler-Babb, Theis, and Gach.
While ASVEL's immediate sporting project has been scaled back, Parker continues to view NBA Europe as the pathway through which the club could eventually regain its financial strength and compete for major titles.
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