Isaac Bonga Can’t Return To NBA This Season

Isaac Bonga played a huge role in helping Germany capture the gold medal at EuroBasket, and his stellar play at both ends of the court has prompted speculation about a possible return to the NBA. However, that can’t happen during the 2025/26 season, according to BasketNews, which relays a report from Serbian outlet Mozzart Sport.

Bonga recently extended his contract with Partizan Belgrade, keeping him with the team until the summer of 2027. The deal includes an NBA exit clause, but it has already expired for this year.

Bonga was an important contributor for the German squad, which posted a 9-0 record at the tournament. He averaged 9.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.7 blocks per game and was named the Best Defender at the competition.

The 25-year-old swingman began his NBA career with the Lakers after being selected with the 39th pick in the 2018 draft. After seeing limited playing time during his first season, Bonga was traded to Washington the following summer in the three-team deal that brought Anthony Davis to L.A.

He spent two seasons with the Wizards, starting 49 of the 66 games he played in 2019/20, then signed with Toronto as a free agent in 2021 before returning to Europe the following year.

German teammate Franz Wagner suggested over the weekend that Bonga could still have an NBA future, saying that teams would be interested in an “elite defender” who can hit three-pointers and make plays with the ball. According to Meridian Sport, when Wagner approached him about the idea, Bonga laughed and responded, “That’s something so you have something to talk about.”