By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Partizan Belgrade coach Zeljko Obradovic addressed the several departures from his team this offseason, including players who had formed a strong bond with the club during their stay.
“We talked to the players, we made it clear to everyone that I don’t want to keep anyone in the team if for any reason they don’t feel happy and satisfied,” Obradovic said per Sport Klub.
“There were cases when some players did not understand what Partizan is, “Obradovic added, without mentioning any names. “What they should do for Partizan, how to behave. In this sense, we made some decisions and we will make some decisions.”
Star guard Kevin Punter and forward Zach LeDay left Partizan following three years during which they played a big part on the team returning to the EuroLeague and coming one win short of making the Final Four in 2023. Punter joined Barcelona while LeDay is expected to return to Olimpia Milano.
Swingman James Nunnally, who was involved in a fighting incident with Crvena Zvezda forward Stefan Lazarevic amid the ABA League Finals, also exited the team upon completion of his contract. Center Frank Kaminsky and guard PJ Dozier departed as free agents after the end of the ABA Finals where Partizan suffered a 0 – 3 sweep to archrival Zvezda.
Some of these players’ spots on the roster have been replaced as Partizan officially signed guards Frank Ntilikina and Iffe Lundberg Thursday (20/6).