Starting point
Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade head into the 2026/27 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season with a deep roster overhaul. After a previous campaign without consolidated data in the canonical record, the Serbian club enters a new cycle with multiple high-profile departures and a block of signings that redefines the team's profile. Official EuroLeague participation is confirmed for this season, with the home opener against EA7 Emporio Armani Milan on 25 September 2026.
A busy summer in Belgrade marks the turning point of this rebuilt EuroLeague project.
Roster changes
Effective departures since 1 July include Shake Milton, Aleksej Pokusevski, Jabari Parker, Miikka Muurinen, Nick Calathes, Sterling Brown — to Zalgiris Kaunas —, Dylan Osetkowski — to Valencia Basket —, Frank Ntilikina — to Paris Basketball —, Isaac Bonga — to Panathinaikos BC —, Tyrique Jones — to Olympiacos BC — and Duane Washington — to FC Bayern Munich. The volume of exits forces a rebuild of the competitive core.
On the incoming side, Partizan have added EuroLeague-experienced and versatile profiles: Derek Willis from Paris Basketball, Luca Vildoza and Alessandro Pajola from Virtus Bologna, Lamar Stevens also from Paris, Kevarrius Hayes from AS Monaco Basket, Joffrey Lauvergne, Nikola Tanaskovic, Kyle Allman, Kyle Allman Jr. and Ethan Thompson complete a renewed roster blending local continuity — Vanja Marinkovic, Uros Mijailovic, Mario Nakic, Mitar Bosnjakovic, Arijan Lakic — with external reinforcements.
The frontcourt rotation combines Hayes, Tonye Jekiri and Lauvergne with perimeter playmaking from Jones, Pajola and Vildoza, while Stevens, Willis and Tanaskovic add inside-out versatility.
Carlik Jones arrives as the starting point guard wearing number 1, with a strong recent FIBA World Cup run for South Sudan: 16.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game across three outings. His playmaking will be one of the pillars of the new Partizan.
Lamar Stevens, a power forward, strengthens the interior line after his stint with Paris Basketball. His physicality and defensive versatility fit a team that must compete from day one in a demanding EuroLeague.
Luca Vildoza, a shooting guard with experience at Virtus Bologna, brings Italian competition know-how and perimeter scoring to complement Jones and Pajola in the backcourt.
Identity and strengths
Partizan retain their Serbian club DNA — Marinkovic, Mijailovic, Nakic, Bosnjakovic, Lakic and Tanaskovic are part of the local fabric — but the summer targets EuroLeague experience and NBA or top-level FIBA profiles. Jones at the helm, Pajola as a complementary creator and Vildoza as an Italian-league-tested guard add depth in ball movement.
Inside, the Hayes-Jekiri-Lauvergne trio offers size and veteran presence; Tanaskovic, who averaged 12.5 points and 4.75 rebounds with Serbia at the FIBA World Cup, can be a relevant offensive weapon if he sustains that level.
The club's structural strength — fan support, Belgrade pressure and European tradition — remains a differentiating factor regardless of the names on the roster.
Risks
The main question mark is integrating so many new pieces in a short window. Replacing references such as Bonga, Calathes or Parker is not automatic, and the current group needs time to find offensive and defensive chemistry.
Backcourt depth is considerable — Jones, Pajola, Vildoza, Allman — but minute distribution and role clarity could create friction if not settled early. The opening schedule is also demanding: after hosting Milan, Partizan travel to Paris Basketball, FC Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the early rounds.
With no 2025/26 statistics available in the canonical record, there is no objective baseline for recent EuroLeague performance, adding uncertainty to the analysis.
Expectations and reasoned forecast
Editorial analysis: Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade start as a team in transition within a highly competitive 2026/27 EuroLeague. The bet on internationally experienced profiles and Serbian continuity suggests playoff upside if integration is swift, but the floor will depend on how the team handles a tough opening schedule.
Editorial analysis: a mid-to-lower regular-season standing is a reasonable scenario if the roster takes time to gel; if Jones and the new interior core settle before October, the ceiling could approach the Play-In zone. There is no recent EuroLeague statistical base to set a more precise target.
Opening games
The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague 2026/27 opener is at home against EA7 Emporio Armani Milan on 25 September 2026 (20:45 UTC). Partizan then visit Paris Basketball on 29 September, face FC Bayern Munich on 2 October, Real Madrid on 8 October and host Panathinaikos BC on 13 October. Before the end of the month they also travel to Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul and host Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade in the Serbian derby on 22 October.
