Panathinaikos chief reveals bold bid to bring Nikola Jokić back to Europe
Dimitrios Giannakopoulos, the owner of Greek basketball powerhouse Panathinaikos, has disclosed that he made an ambitious attempt to secure Nikola Jokić, the three-time NBA Most Va…
Dimitrios Giannakopoulos, the owner of Greek basketball …
Dimitrios Giannakopoulos, the owner of Greek basketball powerhouse Panathinaikos, has disclosed that he made an ambitious attempt to secure Nikola Jokić, the three-time NBA Most Valuable Player, for the upcoming season.
In an interview on the Euro Insiders podcast released Monday, Giannakopoulos—whose personal fortune is estimated between $500 million and $1.9 billion—said he approached the Denver Nuggets with a proposal to buy out the remaining years of Jokić’s contract and relocate the Serbian superstar to Athens.
Jokić, widely regarded as one of the most dominant centers in NBA history, is slated to earn over $100 million combined across the next two seasons under his current deal with Denver. Giannakopoulos did not specify the financial terms of his offer but characterized the pitch as a serious attempt to reunite the two-time champion with European basketball.
The Panathinaikos owner, known for his outspoken and
The Panathinaikos owner, known for his outspoken and hands-on approach, has frequently invested heavily in star talent to elevate the club’s profile in the EuroLeague. While the bid ultimately did not materialize, Giannakopoulos’s remarks underscore the growing financial muscle of top European clubs in chasing elite NBA players.
No official response from the Nuggets or Jokić’s camp has been made public. As of now, the 29-year-old remains under contract with Denver, where he has spent his entire nine-year NBA career, winning two league titles and three MVP awards in the process.
Giannakopoulos’s revelation adds another chapter to his reputation as a bold, sometimes provocative figure in basketball circles, willing to challenge conventional boundaries in pursuit of marquee signings. Whether this overture sparks future negotiations or remains a footnote in Jokić’s storied career, it highlights the enduring allure of European hoops for even the game’s biggest stars.