Panathinaikos extends significant proposal to Jokic, plans to pursue him again in 2027.

In a bold move that has captured the attention of basketball fans, Dimitrios Giannakopoulos, the Greek entrepreneur and owner of Panathinaikos Basketball Club, has revealed his intentions to acquire NBA star Nikola Jokic from the Denver Nuggets. During an appearance on the "Euro Insiders" podcast, Giannakopoulos disclosed that he made a formal proposal to the Nuggets to buy out Jokic's final season, expressing confidence in his ability to sign the Serbian center next summer.

"People are going to say, 'OK, now he's joking,'" Giannakopoulos remarked, emphasizing the seriousness of his offer. He confirmed that he approached both Jokic and the Nuggets with his proposal, but it was swiftly rejected. Jokic, who has two years remaining on his contract worth $121.8 million, has a player option for the second year, allowing him the opportunity to enter unrestricted free agency in the upcoming summer.

As of June 14, Jokic became eligible for a four-year, $278 million maximum contract extension, yet he has opted to delay any commitment. The two-time NBA MVP has expressed a desire to remain with the Nuggets for the duration of his career but is also considering the financial implications of signing an extension at this time. Notably, he could qualify for a five-year, $359.5 million extension with the Nuggets in July 2027, a deal that would set a new record in NBA history, according to NBA insider Bobby Marks.

Giannakopoulos recounted the Nuggets' quick dismissal of his offer, stating, "It took a few seconds [for the Nuggets] to say, 'Who? Greece? Where? What? Bye.'" Despite the rejection, he remains determined to pursue Jokic once he becomes a free agent, urging listeners to verify the seriousness of his proposal with Jokic's agent, Misko Raznatovic.

Last summer, Giannakopoulos attempted to entice veteran center Jonas Valanciunas from the Nuggets, leading to speculation about a potential deal that ultimately did not materialize. Valanciunas has since departed for Zalgiris Kaunas in the Lithuanian EuroLeague, marking a minor development in what has been a relatively quiet free agency period for the Nuggets. This offseason, the team has added veteran center Marvin Bagley III and retained reserve wing Spencer Jones, who signed a two-year, $12 million offer sheet with the Oklahoma City Thunder, which the Nuggets matched. As the team navigates ongoing negotiations with restricted free agent Peyton Watson, they are focused on maintaining their competitive roster.