Partizan Plans a Grand Return of Its Legends: Bogdanović Tops the Wish List, with Veselý, Lauvergne, and Smailagić Also in Talks

Joffrey Lauvergne's presence in Belgrade during the game against ASVEL drew significant attention from Partizan fans, and his statement about wanting to return to the club to finish his career further fueled the excitement. The French center, who established himself over a decade ago at Humska under coach Duško Vujošević and became a fan favorite, did not hide his emotions.

"I've always said I want to finish my career at Partizan. That's my goal. We'll see what the future holds, but it's something I truly want," Lauvergne stated.

According to Mozzart Sport, Partizan is seriously considering the possibility of the French center's return. Club president Ostoja Mijailović sees Lauvergne as a player who could restore some of the identity the team has lost this season. His connection with the fans, the energy he brings, and the fact that he is fluent in Serbian make him an ideal candidate for a comeback.

However, the list of potential returnees doesn't stop there. Partizan is planning a sort of team identity "reboot" next summer, aiming to bring back several former players who left a deep mark on the club.

Also on that list are Aleksa Avramović and Alen Smailagić, who recently wore the black-and-white jersey. Smailagić's situation is particularly interesting, as his contract expires at the end of the season, and Partizan will almost certainly explore the possibility of his return. Avramović's situation in Dubai is stable, so that prospect remains purely theoretical for now.

Among the desired players is Jan Veselý, who is set to leave Barcelona at the end of the season. Although his return is complicated, given that he is past his prime, Partizan will explore options for the Czech center, who made his major European breakthrough in Belgrade. Veselý is considered a "local" foreign player, as he is married to a Serbian woman and speaks the language fluently. The club will also make another attempt to sign Vladimir Lučić, a major target for the past two summers who remained with Bayern. Current information suggests Lučić will spend next season in Munich due to his existing contract, but Partizan's management will be monitoring the situation closely.

Speaking of Bayern, Partizan will also finally try to bring in Nenad Dimitrijević, a playmaker who has been linked with the black-and-whites for years and has never hidden his affection for the club. His name comes up in almost every transfer window, so it's possible the move could finally materialize.

In addition to the big names, the return of less prominent players who developed at Partizan or have previously played for the club is also expected, primarily Nikola Tanasković and Dušan Miletić. According to current projections, they are slated to rejoin the club next season to strengthen the domestic player core.

However, Partizan's absolute top target this summer will be Bogdan Bogdanović. The best player to come out of Partizan in the last 15 years, he has since become a EuroLeague champion with Fenerbahçe, the captain of the Serbian national team, and a player with an impressive NBA career. It is known that he is facing issues with his playing time with the Clippers, suggesting he may not be in their plans for next season.

This is where Partizan sees its opportunity, and there is no doubt that Ostoja Mijailović is preparing the strongest possible offer to try and bring Bogdanović back to Humska. A similar attempt will be made for Dante Exum, but his health status will be evaluated first.

In addition to all this, Partizan is already in negotiations with Karlik Jones about a contract extension. The American playmaker is one of the few players expected to remain with the team next season, provided the negotiations are successful.

All of this indicates that the upcoming summer could bring significant changes to Partizan. Following a turbulent season and the sudden departure of Željko Obradović, the club is aware of the need to rebuild its identity and renew its bond with the fans. The best way to do that is by bringing back players who understand what it means to wear the black-and-white jersey.