By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
Nick Calathes returned to Europe in 2015, and since then, he has become the de facto leader of Panathinaikos. He solidified his place as one of the top EuroLeague players and also has one of the highest contracts in the league, which will pay him 2,1 million euros net next season.
However, after the COVID-19 crisis, Panathinaikos is not willing to fully support such a contract, and the two sides are moving towards an amicable divorce after the end of the 2019-20 season, according to Eurohoops sources.
Calathes most likely will be in the market soon, as a free agent, and Zenit St. Petersburg is already interested in his case. Coach Xavi Pascual who collaborated with Calathes in Panathinaikos, knows that the Greek guard is a valuable asset, and Zenit can give him his projected salary for next season.
Of course, CSKA is one of the main candidates also target Calathes as the Euroleague Champs are planning to add one more top guard next to Mike James. Real Madrid, Efes Anadolu – if they lose Campazzo and Micic to the NBA – and even Olympiacos may knock Calathes’ door in what’s expected to be a very peculiar summer not only for the Greek guard but for the whole EuroLeague market.