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Panathinaikos owner Dimitrios Giannakopoulos says the Greek basketball powerhouse made a serious attempt to acquire Nikola Jokic from the Denver Nuggets this summer and plans to pursue the three-time NBA MVP again next year.
Giannakopoulos revealed on the “Euro Insiders” podcast that he approached both the Nuggets and Jokic about buying out the final season of the superstar’s contract. According to Giannakopoulos, Denver quickly rejected the proposal.
“People are going to say, ‘OK, now he’s joking,’” Giannakopoulos said. “I did make a very serious proposal this year both to his team and to him but I got a rejection. I know that he has one more year of a contract.”
Giannakopoulos said the Nuggets’ response came within seconds.
“It took a few seconds [for the Nuggets] to say, ‘Who? Greece? Where? What? Bye,’” he said. “But let’s wait until next year.”
Jokic Could Hit Free Agency in 2027
Jokic currently has two seasons remaining on his contract with Denver worth $121.8 million, with the second season carrying a player option.
The 31-year-old became eligible for a four-year, $278 million maximum extension in June but has yet to sign it. Jokic has said his “idea and desire” is to remain with the Nuggets for the rest of his career, while also indicating that financial considerations played a role in his decision to wait on a new deal.
Jokic would become eligible for a five-year extension worth approximately $359.5 million in July 2027. That contract would be the largest in NBA history.
That financial reality would make a move to Europe difficult to envision, particularly while Jokic remains in his prime. However, Giannakopoulos appears determined to make another attempt.
“And the one player who is a dream of mine, who I haven’t signed but I will sign next year. … It’s Jokic! It’s the best player in the world!” Giannakopoulos said.
Panathinaikos Has Pursued Nuggets Players Before
Giannakopoulos has previously attempted to bring another Denver center to Greece.
The Panathinaikos owner pursued Jonas Valanciunas last summer and at one point created the impression that the veteran center could leave the NBA for the Greek club. Valanciunas ultimately remained with Denver for the 2025-26 season before leaving this summer to join Lithuanian EuroLeague club Zalgiris Kaunas.
Panathinaikos has also established itself as one of Europe’s biggest basketball clubs, making Giannakopoulos’ pursuit of Jokic less surprising even if the financial gap between European basketball and the NBA remains enormous.
Jokic’s future, however, is likely to remain tied to Denver for at least another season.
The Nuggets have kept much of their roster intact this offseason while adding veteran center Marvin Bagley III and retaining wing Spencer Jones. They are also continuing negotiations with restricted free agent Peyton Watson.
For now, Jokic remains under contract with Denver. But if he reaches free agency in 2027, Giannakopoulos has already made it clear that Panathinaikos intends to make another pitch for the superstar.
