Tony Parker is involved in negotiations to sell ASVEL to the Buss family, the former owners of the Los Angeles Lakers, according to Gabriel Pantel-Jouve of BeBasket. The discussions are expected to extend beyond the initial target of September, with an agreement now more likely to be completed before the end of 2026.
The ownership talks come as ASVEL undergoes a major financial reset. The club had initially planned an ambitious offseason built around a reported €59 million budget, but the French basketball financial regulator DNCCG did not approve a Malaysian partner that was deemed insufficiently reliable.
That decision reduced ASVEL’s projected budget to approximately €24 million and forced the club to significantly reshape its roster. Sylvain Francisco, Daniel Theis and Armoni Brooks have been released, while Nick Weiler-Babb is also expected to leave.
The change follows a difficult 2025-26 EuroLeague campaign for ASVEL. The French club finished last in the 20-team competition with an 8-30 record, posting a minus-281 point differential and winning only two of 19 road games.
ASVEL’s leading scorer in the EuroLeague was Braian Angola, who averaged 15.3 points, 3.9 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 15 appearances. Glynn Watson Jr. averaged 14.2 points and 3.1 assists across 30 games, while Nando De Colo produced 13.6 points and 4.7 assists in 13 appearances.
Parker is now facing both sporting and ownership responsibilities. He is preparing for his first season as a professional head coach while also working through negotiations that could change ASVEL’s ownership structure.
The club’s current roster remains incomplete, particularly in the backcourt. Patty Mills is expected to handle responsibilities at both guard positions, while Edwin Jackson and Both Gach provide additional perimeter options, but ASVEL still needs at least two more guards and potentially another wing.
The coaching staff has also been affected by the financial changes. Vincent Collet has decided to remain with Parker despite reportedly receiving a €600,000 offer from Japan, while Bryan George is also expected to continue with the club.
David Lighty’s future remains unresolved. The 38-year-old guard-forward averaged 4.2 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 33 EuroLeague games last season and had initially been expected to remain with ASVEL before the budget reduction changed the club’s plans.
The potential sale to the Buss family adds another layer to ASVEL’s restructuring. According to BeBasket, some shareholders had hoped for a valuation of approximately €120 million, particularly because of the club’s potential involvement in NBA Europe, while the current negotiations are reportedly centered on a range of €60 million to €80 million.
The Buss family’s involvement would give the transaction a direct connection to one of the NBA’s most prominent ownership histories. The family previously controlled the Lakers before selling the franchise, and its potential acquisition of ASVEL could reshape the French club’s long-term financial and sporting strategy.
