After a disappointing stint in Abu Dhabi, Olympiacos made an impressive comeback, capturing their 15th title and reclaiming the top spot in Greek basketball at a packed Peace and Friendship Stadium (SEF).
This victory sparked joyous celebrations among the team and fans, while management and the head coach have already begun strategizing for the upcoming season.
Following their fourth consecutive EuroLeague Final Four appearance and a near miss for the title, it was clear that changes were necessary. As previously mentioned, Olympiacos aims to bring in motivated players while releasing others whose contracts are set to expire.
The Greek championship finals also influenced some of these decisions.
Retaining Key Players
All starts with the head coach. Giorgos Bartzokas revealed he contemplated leaving mid-season, but as he holds a year left on his contract and has the full support of the management, he will continue to lead Olympiacos next season following the championship win.
The Piraeus squad retains a strong core of around ten players. The players confirmed to stay include: Walkup, Lee, Evans, Larentzakis, Vezenkov, Papanikolaou, Peters, Fournier, and Dorsey.
Despite underperforming compared to his high salary, Dorsey made a case for his place with commendable playoff performances and is expected to remain.
Star players Vezenkov and Fournier will continue to helm the team, while captain Papanikolaou, now aged 36, remains a vital locker room leader. Walkup, signed through 2026, is anticipated to return even stronger after recovering from a back injury.
Though Evans faced a serious injury, he returned for the crucial end-of-season games, and Olympiacos holds high hopes for him. Shaivonte “Saben” Lee, who joined in the middle of the season, has played effectively as a point guard, earning Bartzokas’ trust.
Giannoulis Larentzakis, while seeing reduced playing time, remains an important locker room presence and a valuable player in the Greek rotation. Alec Peters recently extended his contract through 2026, expressing his pride in staying with the team.
Now for some caveats: Moustapha Fall is sidelined for 10–12 months due to injury, although his contract runs until 2027. A contract renegotiation may be on the horizon, as he won’t play next season.
Another uncertain situation involves Shaquielle McKissic. Initially, Olympiacos planned to part ways with him, leading to hints of retirement from the 35-year-old. However, his strong finals performance has prompted the club to reconsider retaining him.
Departures
Most exit decisions were made early on. Nigel Williams-Goss did not wait for a renewal offer, signing with Zalgiris instead.
He will likely reunite with Moses Wright, who struggled with health issues after joining mid-season.
Naz Mitrou-Long, who signed mid-season and carries a Greek passport, is also expected to leave due to his high salary. Although he is still under contract, a mutual separation is anticipated. The same is true for Luca Vildoza. Youngster Stefanos Spartalis is set to transfer to a U.S. college (NCAA).
A notable case is Nikola Milutinov, whose two-year contract is expiring. Teams like Armani Milan are aggressively pursuing him, and discussions with Olympiacos are expected soon to clarify his future.
Potential Additions
Olympiacos aims to bolster its roster in a bid to reclaim the EuroLeague title.
The primary target is Tyson Ward. The club has initiated contact with his agent, and discussions appear promising—an agreement seems likely once his season with Paris concludes.
They are also monitoring Nick Weiler-Babb, the EuroLeague Defensive Player of the Year. The Bayern guard has a $700,000 buyout and is attracting interest from multiple teams, including Olympiacos.
Milutinov’s future is critical. Filip Petrusev remains under contract, but his status will depend on his expected role. If Milutinov leaves, the club may pursue two new centers while retaining Petrusev.
Olympiacos is also exploring the local market, especially given the limited availability of local talents. One name to watch is Omiros Netzipoglou, who had a standout season with AEK.
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