In recent years, we’ve seen numerous NBA players head to Europe after they have reached the end of their prime, or if they seek a more significant role. For example, several role players have achieved remarkable success in Europe. One of the latest examples might be Kendrick Nunn, who was a role player in the NBA but became the Euroleague regular-season MVP.
But if Ergin Ataman’s claim ever happens, that would be the biggest move from the NBA to Europe. The Panathinaikos coach firmly believes that Giannis Antetokounmpo will one day play in Greece.
Legendary European Coach Hints at NBA Superstar Signing
Ataman is currently the head coach of Panathinaikos and the Turkish basketball national team. He made the Finals at the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 with Turkey. Since then, he has been in the media for all sorts of statements. Recently, he said:
“Giannis is my favorite. The most complete player in the NBA. Giannis himself has said he wants to play in Europe one day. Giannakopoulos has seen this. He wanted to sign Nikola Jokic, but maybe Giannis will play for Pao in the future.”
Of course, this would not be the immediate future. But it is possible. Giannis loves playing for the Greek national team. He even said that the bronze medal he won with Greece means more to him than the championship and Finals MVP in the NBA. The current Panathinaikos roster has several former NBA players like Nunn, Cedi Osman, and Juancho Hernangomez. Will Giannis join them one day? We will have to wait and see.
Giannis and Ataman Share Mutual Respect
It is no secret that Giannis considers Ataman one of the best coaches in the world. In fact, when Panathinaikos won the EuroLeague title, he was in attendance. After the game, he congratulated Ataman and told him he was the best coach in the world.
Right now, Ataman has a contract with Panathinaikos that runs through 2027. It is hard to envision Giannis coming to Greece by then. But Ataman is a relatively young coach, 59 years old at the moment. He has many more years left in his career, and when Giannis turns 35, who knows, he might wish to come to Greece.
When We Can Realistically Expect Giannis in Europe?
Right now, the Greek Freak has a player option for the 2027-28 NBA season, when he will be 33 years old. If we add one more extension or a new three-year contract to that, Giannis Antetokounmpo might suit up for Panathinaikos sometime in 2032 or 2033. Of course, he will be at the tail end of his career. By then, he will be 37 or 38 years old. It is hard to envision him having the same athleticism that he has now.
It is far in the future, but the interest is there. For the younger fans who do not remember, Panathinaikos and its owner once signed Dominique Wilkins. They wanted the best player in the world, and they got Nique. In several years, they might try to get Giannis to come to Greece.
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