By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
As Eurohoops have reported a day after the end of the Greek finals, four non Greek players of Panathinaikos were already in search for their next team. However, Stephan Lasme and James Gist are also in danger and Euroleague champion Ricky Hickman is their target.
During his press conference owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos spoke also about the need of adding Greek talent to the team. Ukic, Batiste, Curry and Wright are already out, but as it turned out even Gist and Lasme may leave Athens. Panathinaikos used the opt out clauses in all those contracts with one exception. As it turned out, Gist’s contract didn’t include an opt out clause and in order for him to be released, there will be buy out negotiations. The only question left now is if this is just a maneuver of the Greeks in order to renegotiate the salaries of Lasme and Gist.
And while Nick Calathes of Memphis Grizzlies is still the main priority of Panathinaikos, new coach Dusko Ivanovic has already contacted the representatives of Maccabi Tel Aviv‘s Ricky Hickman in order to probe the possibility of him signings, as also one.co.il reported. The contact has been made a while ago, when Ivanovic wasn’t even announced yet as the new coach of the Greens. Hickman’s camp has already started negotiations with Maccabi for the renewal of his contract, however he is a free agent and his asking price is at least one million dollars per season. UPDATE: Olympiacos is also interested in the case of Ricky Hickman.
Also former team GM Manos Papadopoulos will be the new president, after the decision of owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos to step down from the title.