Zeljko Obradovic will take charge of Panathinaikos next season, after the Greeks brought back the most successful coach in the club’s history and one of European basketball’s all-time greats. He has signed a three-year deal worth 10.5 million euros. Mike Batiste and Dimitris Diamantidis are expected to join his staff.
The first urgent issue is at center. Rishon Holmes and Omer Yurtseven were released during the season, Kenneth Faried’s contract is expiring and he is not expected to stay, and Panathinaikos is now looking for a big man with European experience after mixed results with Faried and Holmes. Jonas Valanciunas was a major target last summer, but he remains under guaranteed contract with Denver for one more season at 10 million dollars, although a buyout could still be considered after he averaged only 13.4 minutes per game. Daniel Theis is expected to sign with Villeurbanne, while Nikola Vucevic, Jusuf Nurkic and Bismack Biyombo are also among the names being monitored.
Obradovic is also seeking help at the forward spots. Trey Lyles of Real Madrid has been mentioned, and Isaac Bonga is another key target because he previously played for Obradovic at Partizan Belgrade. Bonga is attracting NBA interest, and if he does not stay in the United States he could join one of the EuroLeague’s strongest clubs.
Faried is the only Panathinaikos player whose contract is ending, but TJ Shorts is also not expected to return after a season in a reserve role and is heading toward Valencia. Obradovic’s official appointment is expected to speed up negotiations, and Panathinaikos may then add another guard alongside Kendrick Nunn and Kostas Sloukas. Two important internal boosts are also coming, Nigel Hayes-Davis and Matthias Lessort, who returned from a long injury layoff, are expected to be fit for training camp.
