Tony Parker is preparing for his first season as a professional head coach with ASVEL and already sees coaching as a long-term career, saying he wants to remain on the sideline for the next 15 to 20 years.
“Wow, it’s great. I really want to do this for the next 15, 20 years,” Parker said during his press conference Tuesday. “Now I’m going to improve every day. I’ve tried to surround myself with the best people.”
Parker emphasized the importance of the staff he has assembled as he transitions from the front office and ownership side of ASVEL into coaching. He specifically highlighted the club’s coaching staff, performance department and front office as areas containing people with strong basketball knowledge who can help him develop.
“I’m very happy to have a staff like this, whether it’s the coaches, the performance department or the front office,” Parker said. “I think in every sector, we have people who are motivated and know basketball very well.”
The transition comes at a difficult point for ASVEL. The club finished last in the 20-team EuroLeague in 2025-26 with an 8-30 record and a minus-281 point differential, including just two victories in 19 road games.
Braian Angola led ASVEL in EuroLeague scoring at 15.3 points per game, while Glynn Watson Jr. averaged 14.2 points and 3.1 assists.
ASVEL has since undergone a major roster overhaul after the French basketball financial regulator DNCCG rejected a proposed Malaysian investment partner. The decision reduced the club’s projected budget from approximately €59 million to €24 million and forced changes to the offseason plans.
This summer’s additions Sylvain Francisco, Daniel Theis, Armoni Brooks, Nick Weiler-Babb have all left. ASVEL has instead added veterans including Patty Mills, Jae Crowder and Joel Bolomboy, alongside younger players such as Hugo Besson and Myles Cale.
The backcourt remains an area requiring further attention, with Mills expected to handle significant responsibilities alongside Edwin Jackson, Both Gach and the other perimeter options on the roster.
Parker is also navigating uncertainty away from the court. According to Gabriel Pantel-Jouve of BeBasket, ASVEL is negotiating a potential sale to the Buss family, the former owners of the Los Angeles Lakers. The discussions are expected to continue beyond the initial September target, with a deal now more likely before the end of 2026.
The potential transaction could significantly alter ASVEL’s long-term financial structure, with the reported valuation discussions ranging from €60 million to €80 million. Some shareholders had previously sought a valuation closer to €120 million because of ASVEL’s potential involvement in NBA Europe.
