Nikola Jokic's Agent Confirms Panathinaikos Made 'Serious' Offer to Buy Out Nuggets Star

Nikola Jokic’s longtime agent, Misko Raznatovic, has confirmed that Panathinaikos owner Dimitrios Giannakopoulos made a serious proposal to acquire the Denver Nuggets superstar, dismissing initial skepticism surrounding the pitch from the Greek club.

Panathinaikos Owner Details Proposal to Buy Out Contract

Dimitrios Giannakopoulos, owner of the Panathinaikos Basketball Club in Athens, Greece, revealed on the “Euro Insiders” podcast that he approached both the NBA franchise and the player to buy out the final season of Jokic’s current agreement. According to Giannakopoulos, the preliminary approach was met with immediate resistance from the Western Conference organization. “It took a few seconds [for the Nuggets] to say, ‘Who? Greece? Where? What? Bye,'” Giannakopoulos stated on the podcast.

Despite the swift dismissal, the Panathinaikos executive indicated an intent to pursue the center again during future free agency windows. Raznatovic validated the authenticity of the outreach, telling Athletiko simply, “What Giannakopoulos said is true.”

Contract Timeline and Future Free Agency Outlook

Jokic, 31, is currently under contract with Denver with two seasons and $121.8 million remaining on his deal, though the second season includes a player option that could clear a path to unrestricted free agency next summer. According to ESPN insider Bobby Marks, Jokic will be eligible to sign a five-year, $359.5 million extension with the Nuggets in July 2027, which would mark the largest contract in league history.

Recent Performance and Team Context

The trade proposition follows another dominant campaign for Jokic in Denver. Across 65 regular-season games last year, the center averaged 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.7 assists per contest. In the postseason, he maintained production with averages of 25.8 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 9.5 assists.

The Nuggets finished the previous campaign with a 54-28 record to claim the third seed in the Western Conference. However, championship expectations fell short when the team suffered a first-round playoff exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

What Comes Next for Nikola Jokic

Jokic prepares to enter Year 12 of his NBA career with the Denver Nuggets. While international club owners continue to float ambitions of bringing top-tier NBA superstars across the Atlantic, any realistic departure remains tied to his upcoming contract milestones and player options heading toward the 2027 summer market.