While the Atlanta Hawks are entirely focused on the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft, followed by free agency, some NBA veterans have already found their new homes. Certain free agents who don't want to wait around for a minimum deal or a two-way contract to ride the end of the bench in the NBA, prefer to sign overseas contracts. That is exactly what one former Hawk did on Monday.
Eurohoops.net reported that former Hawks forward Jabari Parker was leaving FC Barcelona, where he spent the last two seasons of his career, and signing a new deal with another Euroleague team, Partizan. Despite having one more year on his contract, Parker reportedly agreed on a mutual contract termination that allows him to sign elsewhere.
Jabari Parker Will Continue Career in the Euroleague
Considering how well Parker has been performing in Spain and the Euroleague, his decision not to pursue an NBA contract is surprising. The 30-year-old combo forward has emerged as one of the better players in Europe, despite Barcelona ultimately coming up short in their pursuit of Euroleague titles.
Perhaps the former second-overall pick is done chasing his NBA dream. After coming out of Duke as a coveted prospect and a future superstar, two ACL injuries derailed Parker's career. He bounced around the league after his initial rookie contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, landing in Atlanta in the 2019 offseason. Despite the Hawks signing him to a two-year, $13 million deal, Parker didn't last a full season and was traded to the Sacramento Kings at the 2020 deadline.
His Sacramento stint didn't last too long, either, before ending up on the Boston Celtics for a brief period. He ended up re-establishing his pro career with Barcelona in 2023.
Even though his tenure in Atlanta only lasted for 35 games, Parker will be remembered fondly by Hawks fans as a two-way forward who played hard on both ends of the floor.