Cedi Osman Joins Panathinaikos: EuroLeague Champions Add NBA Veteran

Cedi Osman has officially signed with Panathinaikos AKTOR, the reigning EuroLeague champions, for the 2024-2025 season. The Turkish forward, who spent the last seven seasons in the NBA, joins the Athens-based club following a high-profile offseason recruitment effort. The move marks a return to the EuroLeague for Osman, who last played in the competition for Anadolu Efes before beginning his career in the United States in 2017.

Contract Details and Return to Europe

According to an official announcement from Panathinaikos, the 29-year-old signed a one-year deal with the club. While initial reports throughout the summer speculated on potential interest from various European powerhouses—including rumors linking him to other Greek and Turkish clubs—Osman ultimately committed to head coach Ergin Ataman’s roster. The pair previously worked together at Anadolu Efes, a connection that played a significant role in the negotiations.

Osman’s move follows a tenure in the NBA that saw him play for the Cleveland Cavaliers and, most recently, the San Antonio Spurs. During his 476 regular-season NBA games, he averaged 9.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per contest. His arrival in Athens bolsters a Panathinaikos squad that secured both the EuroLeague title and the Greek Basket League championship in the 2023-2024 campaign.

Strategic Impact on Panathinaikos

The addition of Osman provides Panathinaikos with significant depth at the forward position. With the EuroLeague season demanding a high volume of games, his ability to play both the small forward and power forward spots offers tactical flexibility for Ataman. His experience in high-leverage NBA environments is expected to translate to the EuroLeague, where the physical nature of the game and tactical discipline remain paramount.

Panathinaikos enters the new season with a target on their back as the defending champions. By securing a player of Osman’s caliber, the club reinforces its commitment to maintaining a roster capable of competing for back-to-back continental titles. Osman is expected to integrate into a rotation that already features key contributors such as Kendrick Nunn, Kostas Sloukas, and Mathias Lessort.

Context of the Move: NBA to EuroLeague

Osman’s transition is part of a broader trend of established NBA rotational players opting for prominent roles in the EuroLeague. Unlike some players who return to Europe at the end of their careers, Osman arrives at age 29, typically considered the prime years for a professional basketball player. His decision to join Panathinaikos highlights the increasing competitiveness of the EuroLeague’s financial and sporting environment compared to the bottom tier of NBA roster spots.

The move also reunites him with a familiar system. Under Ergin Ataman, Osman developed into a standout prospect before his 2017 draft selection by the Minnesota Timberwolves and subsequent trade to Cleveland. This existing rapport is expected to shorten the adjustment period as the team prepares for the opening rounds of domestic and European competition.

What Comes Next

Panathinaikos is currently finalizing its preseason preparations as the club looks toward the defense of its domestic and continental titles. Fans can follow the official Panathinaikos website and the EuroLeague’s media channels for updates regarding Osman’s debut, jersey number assignment, and his first official press conference in Athens. The team’s next scheduled competitive fixtures will be confirmed via the official league calendar as the season tip-off approaches.