Panathinaikos Tried to Acquire Nikola Jokić from the NBA and Will Try Again in 2027

Dramatic Acquisition Attempt by Panathinaikos Dimitrios Giannakopoulos, owner of the Greek basketball club Panathinaikos Athens, revealed that he made an official offer to the Denver Nuggets to acquire Nikola Jokić, the three-time NBA MVP, from his current contract. The offer was quickly rejected by the American team, but Giannakopoulos expressed confidence that the next time Jokić becomes a free agent in the summer of 2027, Panathinaikos will try again and hopes to sign him.

Nikola Jokić’s Contract Situation Jokić, 31, is under contract with the Denver Nuggets for two more seasons worth approximately $122 million in total, with the second season being a player option. This means Jokić can choose to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2024. He was eligible to sign a four-year max extension worth $278 million last June but chose to wait for financial reasons, stating his desire to remain with Denver throughout his career.

Panathinaikos’ Opportunity in 2027 Jokić’s potential future contract extension with Denver could reach $359.5 million for the 2027-2032 period, which would be the largest in NBA history. Giannakopoulos noted that despite Denver’s immediate negative response to his offer, he plans to try again when Jokić hits free agency. He even invited interviewers to contact Jokić’s agent, Misko Raznatovic, to verify the seriousness of the offer made.

Background on NBA Player Acquisition Attempts Giannakopoulos is no stranger to trying to sign NBA players for the Greek club. Last year, he attempted to bring Jonas Valančiūnas, a key Denver player, but the deal fell through and Valančiūnas ultimately stayed with the American team. Panathinaikos, a club with a rich European history, shows ambition to reclaim its status on the international stage and bring in top-tier talent.

Significance for Fans and European Basketball The possibility of Jokić, one of the world’s biggest stars, moving from the NBA playoffs to the European league is a rare event with major implications. Such a move could elevate the level of basketball in Europe, boost interest and viewership in the Greek league and across Europe, and provide a huge boost to Panathinaikos. However, for now, Giannakopoulos’ offer appears to be part of a long-term plan rather than an immediate move.