Could Nikola Jokic leave the NBA for Greece? The owner of Panathinaikos Basketball Club in Athens says he tried to buy Via @espn on X

What happened: The Athens club's owner believes he can sign Nikola Jokic when the three-time MVP can become a free agent next summer. The attempted buyout was rejected, leaving his NBA contract in place for 2026-27.

Why it matters: Waiting until summer 2027 could make Jokic eligible for a five-year supermax worth about $350 million. He said in July that he intends to re-sign in Denver and spend the rest of his career there.

By the numbers: Jokic has won three MVP awards. He has two years and $121.9 million remaining on his contract, with a player option covering the final season.

What to watch: Watch whether Jokic opts out in summer 2027 and follows through on his plan to re-sign in Denver.

Sources

  • @espn