Serious Offer on the Table: Greek Team Targets Jokic

Updated August 10, 2026 8 min read

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Greek Team Panathinaikos Makes Serious Offer for Nikola Jokic | Nuggets Star Targeted

Greek Team Panathinaikos Makes Serious Offer for Nikola Jokic, Vows to Try Again in 2027

TL;DR: Panathinaikos, one of Greece’s most storied basketball clubs, made what owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos called a “very serious” offer to acquire Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic. The Nuggets rejected the proposal within seconds, but Panathinaikos has publicly committed to pursuing the three-time NBA MVP again when Jokic’s contract situation evolves in 2027.

Panathinaikos made a serious bid to bring Nikola Jokic to Greece, but the Denver Nuggets shut it down immediately. The Greek basketball powerhouse confirmed it submitted what owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos described as a legitimate offer for the reigning NBA MVP, marking one of the most audacious European recruitment attempts in modern basketball history.

Quick Answer

Panathinaikos, owned by Greek businessman Dimitris Giannakopoulos, submitted a serious offer to the Denver Nuggets for Nikola Jokic, widely considered the best basketball player on the planet. The Nuggets rejected the proposal almost immediately. Giannakopoulos has publicly stated that Panathinaikos will attempt to sign Jokic again in 2027, signaling this was not a publicity stunt but a genuine pursuit of the Serbian center.

What Happened Between Panathinaikos and the Nuggets?

Panathinaikos BC, one of Europe’s premier basketball franchises, engaged in direct discussions with the Denver Nuggets regarding a potential trade or buyout arrangement for Nikola Jokic. According to multiple reports, including ESPN and CBS Sports, the offer reached advanced stages before being flatly rejected.

According to Giannakopoulos, the Nuggets dismissed the proposal “in a few seconds.” Denver’s front office showed zero hesitation in turning down what would have been a franchise-altering move — trading away the player many analysts consider the most dominant force in NBA history.

Who Is Dimitris Giannakopoulos?

Dimitris Giannakopoulos is the owner and driving force behind Panathinaikos BC. Known for his aggressive recruitment strategies and willingness to spend big on talent, Giannakopoulos has a track record of pursuing high-profile international players. His public comments about the Jokic offer reflect a businessman who operates with boldness and transparency in European basketball’s transfer market.

Giannakopoulos did not mince words when addressing the rejection. Reports indicate he told Nuggets management that if they were willing to sell Jokic, he would be ready to walk away — a tactic that underscores how serious the Greek side considered their own proposal.

Why Did the Nuggets Reject the Offer So Quickly?

The Denver Nuggets rejected the Panathinaikos offer in a matter of seconds for several straightforward reasons. Nikola Jokic is under a long-term contract with Denver and remains the centerpiece of a franchise that won its first NBA championship in 2023. Trading or releasing the three-time MVP would be organizational malpractice.

NBA teams operate under a salary cap and collective bargaining agreement that makes it virtually impossible for a European club to acquire an active superstar under contract. Even a massive buyout figure — the kind Panathinaikos reportedly proposed — cannot override a player’s existing NBA contractual obligations without the player’s own request to leave.

The Financial Reality of NBA-to-Europe Transfers

European basketball clubs, including financial powerhouses like Panathinaikos, Real Madrid, and CSKA Moscow, operate with vastly different budget structures than NBA franchises. While top EuroLeague salaries for elite players can reach $5–8 million annually, Jokic’s NBA salary exceeds $50 million per year under his supermax extension.

Research shows that no NBA superstar under a prime contract has ever voluntarily left for Europe at the peak of their career. The financial gap alone makes such a move nearly impossible, even for wealthy European clubs with significant backing from corporate sponsors and ownership groups.

What Is Panathinaikos’ Plan for 2027?

Panathinaikos has publicly committed to making another run at Jokic when the timing becomes more favorable. In 2027, Jokic’s current contract with the Nuggets will be closer to its expiration, potentially creating a window where trade scenarios or player opt-outs become realistic.

According to reports from ESPN, Giannakopoulos stated that Panathinaikos plans to try again in 2027. This long-term strategy suggests the Greek club is not merely chasing headlines but building a multi-year recruitment campaign around one of basketball’s greatest talents.

Could Jokic Ever Leave the NBA for Europe?

Nikola Jokic was born in Sombor, Serbia, and has deep roots in European basketball culture. He has expressed fondness for the European game throughout his career, and unlike many NBA players, Jokic has consistently shown that basketball is not his sole identity — he is famously passionate about horse racing and life outside the sport.

Industry data indicates that European-born NBA superstars occasionally express nostalgia for European basketball, but the competitive level, salary structures, and global exposure of the NBA typically keep them stateside throughout their primes. Jokic turns 32 in February 2027, making a Europe move plausible only if his priorities shift dramatically away from NBA competition.

Factor	NBA (Denver Nuggets)	EuroLeague (Panathinaikos)
Annual Salary Range	$50+ million	$5–8 million (max)
Championship Prestige	NBA Finals (global stage)	EuroLeague Final Four
Competitive Level	Best players in the world	Top European talent
Media Exposure	Massive global audience	Strong in Europe, limited elsewhere
Contract Flexibility	Restricted by CBA	More flexible transfers

How Does This Affect the Denver Nuggets’ Roster?

The Jokic pursuit comes during a period of roster adjustment for the Denver Nuggets. The team recently completed a trade involving veteran center Jonas Valanciunas, who offered a vague response about his NBA future when asked about the move. Denver’s willingness to move Valanciunas while firmly rejecting any discussion of Jokic underscores the franchise’s commitment to building around their Serbian superstar.

For more information on Denver’s recent roster moves, see our guide on NBA trade deadline moves and roster construction.

What Does This Mean for Jokic’s Legacy?

The fact that a European powerhouse like Panathinaikos is publicly pursuing Jokic speaks volumes about his global stature. Being the subject of a serious international recruitment bid — regardless of its realistic odds — positions Jokic as a transcendent figure who transcends the NBA and resonates deeply with European basketball fans.

Jokic’s three NBA MVP awards and 2023 championship cemented his place among the all-time greats. A pursuit by Panathinaikos adds an international dimension to his legacy, connecting his Serbian roots with Europe’s rich basketball tradition.

Key Takeaways

Panathinaikos submitted a serious, direct offer to the Denver Nuggets for Nikola Jokic, which owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos described as legitimate and well-funded.
The Nuggets rejected the offer within seconds, demonstrating zero interest in parting with the three-time MVP regardless of the financial terms proposed.
Panathinaikos has committed to trying again in 2027, when Jokic’s contract situation may create a more realistic window for a transfer.
The financial gap between the NBA and EuroLeague makes such a move extremely unlikely during Jokic’s prime, but future circumstances could change the equation.
This pursuit reflects Jokic’s global appeal and his deep connection to European basketball culture as a Serbian national.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much did Panathinaikos offer for Jokic?

Panathinaikos did not publicly disclose the exact financial terms of their offer to the Denver Nuggets. However, owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos described it as a “very serious” and legitimate proposal, suggesting a significant buyout or transfer fee that exceeded standard European basketball transactions.

Can a EuroLeague team actually sign an NBA player?

A EuroLeague team can sign an NBA player only if that player is a free agent, has been bought out of their NBA contract, or is released. Active NBA players under contract cannot simply leave for European teams without their franchise agreeing to terms or the player negotiating a buyout with their NBA club.

Is Nikola Jokic planning to leave the NBA?

There is no indication that Nikola Jokic is planning to leave the NBA. The Panathinaikos offer was initiated by the Greek club, not by Jokic or his representatives. Jokic remains under contract with the Denver Nuggets and has not publicly expressed interest in moving to European basketball.

When does Jokic’s contract with the Nuggets expire?

Nikola Jokic signed a five-year supermax extension with the Denver Nuggets in 2023. The contract runs through the 2027-28 season, which aligns with Panathinaikos’ stated plan to pursue the center again in 2027 when the contractual landscape may be more favorable.

Has any NBA superstar ever left for European basketball at their peak?

No NBA superstar has voluntarily left for European basketball during their prime. Players like Arvydas Sabonis and Drazen Petrovic played in Europe before their NBA careers, but the reverse — leaving a top NBA role for Europe — has not occurred for an active MVP-caliber player. The financial disparity and competitive differences make such moves highly improbable.

What other European teams might pursue NBA players?

Several European clubs have the financial resources and ambition to pursue NBA talent, including Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, CSKA Moscow, and Olympiacos. Panathinaikos’ pursuit of Jokic may inspire similar bids from rival European franchises targeting players with European roots or connections.

Conclusion

The Greek team Panathinaikos made a serious, unprecedented bid to acquire Nikola Jokic from the Denver Nuggets, marking one of the boldest recruitment attempts in the history of international basketball. The Nuggets rejected the offer within seconds, and the three-time NBA MVP remains firmly in Denver. However, Panathinaikos’ public commitment to trying again in 2027 keeps this story alive and adds a compelling international subplot to Jokic’s ongoing career. The pursuit underscores Jokic’s status as a generational talent whose appeal extends far beyond the NBA, connecting European basketball traditions with the highest level of professional competition in the world.

The bottom line: While the financial and contractual barriers between the NBA and EuroLeague make a Jokic-to-Panathinaikos move extremely unlikely in the short term, the Greek club’s serious offer and public long-term strategy ensure this story will resurface as Jokic’s contract situation evolves toward 2027. Whether or not Jokic ever plays in Greece, the pursuit itself has become a landmark moment in global basketball.