Expectations surrounding Panathinaikos were high, but the season has not concluded as envisioned. Although the team celebrated a Greek Cup victory in Crete, the overall performance was lackluster, especially in the EuroLeague Final Four and the Stoiximan GBL finals.
There will be no sweeping changes to the roster. Instead, Panathinaikos aims for strategic additions of quality players who will seamlessly integrate into the existing framework. Some departures have already been confirmed or are in the works.
Who’s Staying
The team has established a solid core of 10 players. This season, contracts were extended for key figures such as Mathias Lessort, Juancho Hernangómez, Cedi Osman, and Kendrick Nunn, demonstrating the club’s commitment to this group for the next 2 to 3 years.
Jerian Grant and Marius Grigonis also renewed their contracts last summer. However, Grigonis is dealing with a significant back injury, leaving his future uncertain. Wenyen Gabriel’s status is also in question.
Captain Kostas Sloukas, who played a pivotal role in the finals, remains with the core alongside Greek players Kalaitzakis, Samontourov, and Mitoglou. The situations of Dimitris Moraitis and Ioannis Papapetrou are yet to be clarified.
Who’s Leaving
Two players are almost certain to depart: Lorenzo Brown and Omer Yurtseven. Brown, initially brought in as a standout player, has struggled to meet expectations and underperformed compared to his previous stints with Maccabi, Fenerbahçe, and Red Star. Although he is under contract until 2027, both parties are expected to agree on a mutual termination. He is already rumored to be in talks with other EuroLeague teams, potentially returning to Belgrade.
Yurtseven displayed moments of promise but ultimately did not fulfill expectations. While Panathinaikos has an option to renew his contract, it is unlikely they will exercise it. He is attracting interest from other clubs, including some in Turkey.
The future of Wenyen Gabriel remains uncertain. Despite his positive impact, he may not align with the team’s frontcourt plans for the upcoming season.
Moraitis is likely to be loaned out, even though he has a year left on his contract. Papapetrou, whose contract is expiring, hasn’t been a significant part of Ataman’s strategy and has not been approached for a renewal.
Lastly, Tibor Pleiss, who had minimal impact, will not return.
Who’s Coming
Following the adage, “A wise man prepares before he gets hungry,” Panathinaikos has already signed one of the EuroLeague’s top guards, T.J. Shorts, for €6 million through 2028. His move will be finalized after the conclusion of the French league playoffs.
Additionally, Vasilis Toliopoulos has joined the team on a 3-year deal worth €1.5 million after a strong season with Aris and the national team. He will now play under coach Ergin Ataman.
Panathinaikos also intends to sign a high-caliber center to support Mathias Lessort, particularly after his injury this past season. If Gabriel remains, they may consider a versatile forward-center, possibly a player like Dario Šarić, who was on their radar last year.
Everything hinges on Ataman’s vision for the frontcourt. Targeting a high-caliber center from outside the EuroLeague, potentially even from the NBA, could provide a sharing of minutes with Lessort. In this scenario, Dinos Mitoglou could move to the center position as needed.
Despite speculation, Panathinaikos has not shown serious interest in re-signing Georgios Papagiannis, who is expected to continue his career at Anadolu Efes.
The team is also searching for a forward to enhance their rotation, contingent on Grigonis’s return to high-level competition following his injury.
Additionally, Greek talent Nikos Rogkavopoulos is on their radar, but his €1.5 million buyout from Baskonia and desire to remain in Vitoria for another year render this move uncertain.
Lastly, Neoklis Avdalas is likely heading to the U.S., with options for college basketball or the NBA depending on his draft performance.
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