By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
“It was just a matter of minutes”, said Panathinaikos’ president Dimitris Giannakopoulos and Dimitris Diamantidis agreed: “I never had second thoughts”. The 33 years old captain of Panathinaikos signed his new contract with the team for the next two seasons. In essence, despite being a free agent he never explored the open market, he didn’t tried to get the best possible offer, however he will be paid with 1,9 million euros per season, excluding taxes.
Diamantidis will probably retire as a player of Panathinaikos and he can be considered the most important player in the history of the club with an already legendary career, surpassing even the previous biggest icon of the team, Dejan Bodiroga. The Greens also announced on Wednesday the contract extension of 25 years old center Gaios Skordilis.
Olympiacos made official the signing of Acie Law for the next two seasons. However, this deal includes also an NBA out clause that can be used until the end of the month and the American guard still also an eye open for a possible return to the States.
Also on Thursday, Varese which is preparing for the qualifying round of Euroleague presented its new coach, Fabrizio Frates, who was announced on Wednesday.