Panathinaikos Owner Says He Tried to Sign Nikola Jokić

Panathinaikos Basketball Club owner Dimitrios Giannakopoulos has revealed he made a serious attempt to bring three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić to Greece for the upcoming season, a proposal that was swiftly rejected by the Denver Nuggets. Giannakopoulos disclosed the failed bid in a podcast interview released on August 10, 2026, stating he sought to buy out the final year of Jokić's contract to bring the Serbian center to Athens.

The proposal centered on acquiring Jokić for the 2026-27 season, which is the final guaranteed year of his current deal. According to Giannakopoulos, the Nuggets responded almost immediately with a rejection. "It took a few seconds to say, 'Who? Greece? Where? What? Bye,'" Giannakopoulos recounted. Despite this, the Panathinaikos owner indicated he remains interested in pursuing Jokić when he potentially becomes a free agent next summer.

Jokić, 31, has two seasons and approximately $121.8 million remaining on his contract with Denver. However, he holds a player option for the 2027-28 season, which would allow him to become an unrestricted free agent if he declines it. This upcoming free agency is the window Giannakopoulos is now targeting. The Nuggets have...