By Lefteris Moutis/ moutis@eurohoops.net
The deal between Giannis Bourousis and Real Madrid is all but official and the player he will replace in Spain may end up in Greece. According to sources close to Mirza Begic, Olympiacos has initiated talks with the Slovenian center in order to sign him.
Begic’s name has been mentioned also as a potential target of Fenerbahce/ Ulker and Banvit, but the possibility of signing with the back to back Euroleague champions is more than intriguing to him. Real Madrid asked from the player to sign a new contract for 700.000 euros per season, practically a pay cut from last season, and that’s why he entered the market.
Can Olympiacos offer him a more lucrative deal? It remains to be seen, since Begic can be the missing puzzle in a front line full of explosive but relatively undersized centers. He also has the experience from the highest European level and he is expected to adapt with relative ease in a team with the highest ambitions.
However, the big Monday news for the Greeks was the release of Martinas Gecevicius and also the fact that the NBA buy out deadline of Kostas Papanikolaou expired and despite the interest for the player, he will remain for one more year with the Reds.