Full Breakdown
Nikola Jokic’s EuroLeague Pursuit: Panathinaikos Owner’s Buyout Offer and Its Implications
8/11/2026, 8:16:24 AM
Core Event – Giannakopoulos’s Buyout Proposal
Greek businessman Dimitrios Giannakopoulos, owner of Panathinaikos Basketball Club, told the “Euro Insiders” podcast that he submitted a formal proposal to the Denver Nuggets to purchase the final year of Nikola Jokic’s contract. Giannakopoulos said the Nuggets rejected the offer within seconds and that he will renew the attempt when Jokic becomes an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Background & Context – Jokic’s Contract Situation and Panathinaikos Ambitions
Jokic is under a two-year, $121.8 million NBA contract that includes a player option for 2027-28. He declined a four-year, $278 million max extension on June 14, saying his “idea and desire” is to remain in Denver while awaiting a more favorable deal. If he exercises the option and then opts out, he will be eligible next summer for a five-year, $359.5 million super-max—projected to be the largest NBA contract ever.
Panathinaikos, a EuroLeague powerhouse, operates on a much smaller payroll. EuroLeague data shows the highest-paid player in Europe earned $5.6 million last season, while Panathinaikos’ second-highest earner, Kendrick Nunn, received $5.3 million. The gap underscores the financial challenge of luring Jokic to Greece.
Data & Statistics – Numbers Behind the Deal
- Current NBA contract: $121.8 million over two seasons, with a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28.
- Eligible extension (June 14): four-year, $278 million max deal.
- Projected super-max (next summer): five-year, $359.5 million contract.
- EuroLeague top salary (2025-26): $5.6 million; Panathinaikos’ second-highest salary: $5.3 million.
Official Statements & Responses – Positions of the Parties
Jokic has reiterated his intention to finish his career with the Nuggets, emphasizing his commitment to Denver. Giannakopoulos described his proposal as “very serious” and characterized the Nuggets’ response as an immediate dismissal. No formal comment from the Nuggets has been released; the description of their reaction comes from Giannakopoulos’s account.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps – Contract Length Ambiguity
Sources differ on whether Jokic has one or two years remaining on his deal. The discrepancy reflects varying interpretations of the player-option clause and highlights a gap in publicly confirmed contract details.
Verbatim Quotes
- “People are going to say, ‘OK, now he’s joking,'” — Dimitrios Giannakopoulos
- “It took a few seconds [for the Nuggets] to say, 'Who? Greece? Where? What? Bye,'” — Dimitrios Giannakopoulos
What’s Next – Free Agency and Future Negotiations
Jokic’s contract will enter its final guaranteed year in 2026-27, after which he holds a player option for 2027-28. If he declines that option, he becomes an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2027, and Giannakopoulos has indicated he will revisit the buyout discussion. The likelihood of Panathinaikos matching the financial terms of a potential NBA super-max remains uncertain, given the stark salary disparity between the leagues.
