By Lefteris Moutis/ moutis@eurohoops.net
After missing the chance to sign Victor Claver, Panathinaikos is exploring every option for a powerforward. Nicolo Melli is a target and the same applies to Toko Shengelia.
The Greek club approached the forward of Baskonia and this is the point where things get tricky. Shengelia has a contract for next season which will pay him a total of 700.000 euros and no buy out clause. Panathinaikos doesn’t want to negotiate with Baskonia directly, so the Greens want the player to be released without them involved in the talks.
How this can happen? There are money owned from last season to the player by Baskonia and this can be the key to his release. Shengelia will negotiate his release not based on a buy out fee, but by not asking for the money owned to him. However in those kind of talks nothing can be taken for granted and Panathinaikos is keeping its option open for a power forward.