By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
The final resolution in the case of Kostas Sloukas is about to be announced. According to Eurohoops sources the Greek guard already took his final decision, after spending two days with people close to him and his family. It was not an easy decision, but the dice is cast.
Unless something dramatic happens in the last moment, Sloukas will continue his career in Fenerbahce/ Ulker with a three year contract. Olympiacos tried its best in order to keep him, made the best offer the team could do according to the financial situation in Greece and the Reds may even try to do something even better in the next hours. However the offer of Fenerbahce is much, much better on financial and also in playing terms.
Sloukas believes that his role is not going to change in Olympiacos and he wants to try himself in the top level, having more responsibilities, more minutes and taking more risks. After four Euroleague seasons in his 25 years of age, three Euroleague finals and two Euroleague titles he wants to emerge as a leader.
Fenerbahce/ Ulker and Zeljko Obradovic are ready to trust him and he will share most of the minutes in the back court with Bogdan Bogdanovic and Bobby Dixon, playing also as a point guard. Kenan Sipahi and Melih Mahmutoglou will have supporting roles.
Sloukas is expected to meet Aggelopoulos brothers on Friday, but he is not going to negotiate. He only wants to explain his decision. Sloukas respects the role Spanoulis has in the team, he knows that Vaggelis Mantzaris’ style is much more compatible with “Kill Bill” and at this point he can’t be nothing more than a role player in Olympiacos.
He also respects Aggelopoulos brothers, he considers them the most important people is his career, because they signed him when he was just 18 years old and they kept him on the team when Dusan Ivkovic had doubts about him. That’s why he intends to inform them that he will play only for Olympiacos in Greece as long they are still owners of the club. For now, however, his future is in Fenerbahce and it’s almost impossible for that to change.