By Stavros Barbarousis/ info@eurohoops.net
As the offseason is centered on the potential return of Nick Calathes, Panathinaikos OPAP has presented a two-year, €2.7 million contract to the Greek-American point guard hoping to complete his addition within the next few days.
Calathes, 33, has been informed by FC Barcelona that he is not included in the plans for the 2022-23 season. However, he must agree to be released from his contract in order to move on from the Catalonia giant. The talks between the involved parties are ongoing and Calathes’ side is aiming to get even all his guaranteed money corresponding to the 2022-23 season, a sum of around 1.8 million euros.
Panathinaikos patiently awaiting developments would prefer a speedy resolution to potentially bring in the experienced floor general for a third stint with the club and from there dive into other offseason plans and strengthen the squad ahead of the next season. On a helpful note, Olympiacos, the archrival of the Greens, has also shortlisted Calathes.
After being selected with the 45th overall pick of the 2009 NBA draft, he went from his last NCAA season with Florida to turning pro in Greece and launching the first spell at the Greens in 2009. Lokomotiv Kuban became his second team three years later and the Memphis Grizzlies followed from 2013 to 2015, prior to his second stint with the Greek giant stretching from 2015 to 2020.
Moving to Barca, Calathes managed to climb up to the top of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague all-time assists ladder. He generated 7.3 points, 6.4 assists, 4.0 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 0.1 blocks per game in the 2021-22 edition of the EuroLeague. Averaging 6.3 points, 5.2 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game illustrated his overall effort in Spain’s Liga Endesa last season.
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