By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
Mike James is about to sign with Panathinaikos for next season, as the Greens have offered him an annual salary of $ 1 million.
The two sides have more than advanced talks, which started some time ago and they have entered the final stage of their negotiations. James will sign a contract only for next season, which will give him the chance to try his luck with the NBA in the summer of 2017 and the Greens will get the free agent guard who was part of Baskonia‘s amazing run this season.
James is still in Portland, having, however, an open line with Greece. If nothing extraordinary happens, the deal can be completed even in the next few hours. James has also received interest from Olympiacos, while Baskonia would like to keep him in Vitoria, but Panathinaikos moved faster and demonstrated the desire to close the deal with him as soon as possible.
James is included in the Phoenix Suns‘ summer league roster, however a deal with Panathinaikos probably would mean that he will not try his luck in the States this year and he will not be present in Las Vegas. Probably this is one of the last details that have to be taken care of, before the final signatures.