By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Two days after our report of Panathinaikos ending negotiations with Stephan Lasme and the player choosing to continue his career in Moscow, the mystery surrounding the case of Euroleague’s defensive player of the year is still thick.
By trying to solve it, the findings were more than interesting. Both the player and CSKA‘s Andrey Vatutin denied even the interest of the Russians. However our sources insists that there were contacts between the two sides, but the offer was only verbal. Why this happened? Probably it’s something that has to do with Nenad Krstic’s contract.
The point is that Lasme has only one written offer – despite the rumored Fenerbahce‘s interest – and it comes from Panathinaikos. The Greens are aware of that and they are waiting for Lasme to contact them back and accept it.
As for the interest for Gani Lawal, both Panathinaikos and Olympiacos had contacts with his representatives, but the situation is not simple and it will not be easy to get him. The player has to chose from seven different offers all over Europe, including from Russia, and he will take his time in order to decide. Meanwhile, if Panathinaikos gets Lasme’s signature, the Green interest will be evaporated.