Greek club owner offers to buy out Nikola Jokić's final NBA contract year
Panathinaikos owner Dimitrios Giannakopoulos has proposed purchasing the last year of Nikola Jokić's current deal, aiming to lure the MVP to Greece.
Dimitrios Giannakopoulos, the businessman behind Panathinaikos Basketball Club, submitted a plan to purchase the last year of Nikola Jokić's existing contract with the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets rejected the offer, yet Giannakopoulos believes the early buyout could position him to sign the three-time MVP in free agency next summer. Jokić, who posted a triple-double average last season, remains under contract for two more years with a total value of $121.8 million and retains a player option to exit after the 2027 season.
If he opts out, he would become an unrestricted free agent, allowing the Greek club to negotiate directly. Giannakopoulos, whose net worth is estimated at $1.2 billion, appears prepared to offer a contract that could exceed any NBA record to secure Jokić’s services, though the player has indicated a preference for staying in the NBA.
Why it matters
The proposal could reshape Jokić's career path and impact NBA free-agency dynamics.
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