By Stavros Barbarousis/ info@eurohoops.net
The latest update regarding Andrew Andrews and his contract with Panathinaikos complicates team decisions regarding the foreigner spots on the domestic roster of the Athens outfit.
Andrews, 29, rejected the two most recent offers made by the Greens in the latest efforts to release the disgruntled combo guard.
Panathinaikos was willing to cover the entire contract worth $250K in several installments and then offered $190K payable immediately, the sum of his contract for the 2022-23 season and next summer’s buy-out. On the opposite end of the talks, Andrews confirmed requiring a one-off payment of the two-year contract signed last July.
Coming in to debut in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, Andrews averaged 8.2 points, 1.8 assists, 1.5 rebounds, and 0.8 steals per contest over four appearances before falling out of favor early in the 2022-23 season. He actually shared his view on the dragging situation.
“I understand this is a business,” he highlighted in the written statement sent to Eurohoops in January, “When the team approached me about the Greek league document, they told me it would not affect my Euroleague status. But, before I could sign the document, I was already out of the 12-man Euroleague roster.”
“My professionalism and work ethic speak for themselves,” Andrews had added clarifying his initial reaction and overall approach, “I see all the comments from my peers and fans who voiced their support and confidence that I belong in EuroLeague I appreciate you.”
Failing to reach a deal with the Portland-born guard, the Greens are forced to choose between Derrick Williams and Matt Thomas for the remaining foreigner slot on the squad ahead of the Greek Cup’s Final 8. Releasing Andrews would instead allow both players to be available for head coach Dejan Radonjic at the domestic level beyond the Cup to the top-flight division of the country, Basket League.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net