By Aris Barkas / barkas@eurohoops.net
After long talks, Ioannis Papapetrou and Panathinaikos are approaching a deal that will keep the Greek forward in Athens, per Eurohoops sources. Papapetrou, 27, just finished his third season with the Greens, during which he averaged 12.1 points and 4.1 rebounds across 27 EuroLeague games and has received interest from multiple teams this offseason.
However, out of the suitors who approached them – with Zenit St. Petersburg and Anadolu Efes being initially more than interest but for a number of different reasons heading to other directions as time went by – Panathinaikos remains the team that will give him a clear leadership role and that’s an important part to Papapetrou’s upcoming decision.
At this point, it seems that only the possibility of NBA interest can derail the talks with the Greek club and NBA outs are also expected to be included in the new contract.
The Greek forward posted 13.9 points, 4.04 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 25:06 minutes over 28 games in the Greek League as Panathinaikos won the championship title and was named the season MVP.
Papapetrou joined Panathinaikos in 2018, after spending five seasons with rivals Olympiacos.
Photo: Eurokinissi