Panathinaikos made Jokic 'serious' offer; to try again in '27

Greek EuroLeague team Panathinaikos has reportedly made a serious offer to sign NBA star Nikola Jokic away from the Denver Nuggets. The coverage indicates that the Denver Nuggets received a formal proposal regarding the player's status. While the initial attempt did not result in a signing, the club's leadership remains committed to the pursuit of the athlete, signaling a desire to integrate him into the EuroLeague roster. Multiple sports outlets are tracking the development, with ESPN reporting that Panathinaikos made a serious offer and intends to try again in 2027. Bleacher Report highlighted that the Nuggets received this proposal amid ongoing contract rumors surrounding the player.

Eurohoops specifically identified Giannakopoulos as the figure setting his sights on Jokic for the next summer. Furthermore, basketnews.com confirmed that a EuroLeague team tried to sign the center, while Yahoo Sports focused on the determination of the team's billionaire owner following an initial rejection. This development is significant because it represents a rare instance of a European club attempting to lure a top-tier NBA talent during their prime. The involvement of a billionaire owner provides the financial framework necessary to make such a proposal viable. The context of existing contract rumors at Denver adds a layer of volatility to Jokic's current NBA tenure, making the Greek offer a concrete alternative.

The move underscores the ambition of Panathinaikos to dominate the EuroLeague by acquiring one of the most decorated players in professional basketball. Future developments to watch include the specific timing of the next attempt, as ESPN notes the team will try again in 2027. Observers will be monitoring whether the Denver Nuggets respond to these external proposals or if the contract rumors mentioned by Bleacher Report lead to a new agreement. Coverage will likely follow the actions of Giannakopoulos to see if further offers are extended before the next summer window. The persistence of the billionaire owner suggests that the initial rejection was not the end of the recruitment process.