Panathinaikos the next day: Purges, “messiah” Ataman and expensive transfers

A nightmarish season, which “went wrong” early on, had… a fitting finale for him Panathinaikos. The “greens”, despite the competitive face in the first two matches of the finals, lost handily in the next two to Olympiakos. So ended the team’s unprecedented streak of 27 consecutive seasons with at least one title. As if this were not enough, Panathinaikos after the sad events yesterday at OAKA and the match that it was not completed through his own faultis in danger of mortgaging next season, as is threatened with the removal of two points and at least three games behind closed doors (while already “carrying” a matchday from Game 2).

The next day promises to be difficult for the “clover”, but at the same time -against the heavy climate of what happened yesterday – they exist optimistic messageswith his advent Ergin Ataman on the bench and the management’s willingness to spend big to make good signings give hope for the future.

Starting with the existing roster, there will be purges. The vast majority of the team’s potential will leave and the question is whether 20-30% of this will remain for the new season. Data will leave the Williams, Walters and Gudaitis, while Thomas has little chance of staying. The chances are slim for him PonyThe Li he has some hopes of staying but of course not as first choice (perhaps as a seventh foreigner), while o Grigonis he has a closed contract for the new season as well, but it hardly seems that he will continue even though Ataman reportedly values ​​him. From the Greek trunk, its presence is a given Manjukapoints earned in the course of the season P. Kalaitzakis (both have a contract), while as a supplement to the front line he can stay Agravanis. We will hardly see the new season in their team G. Kalaitzakis and Bohorides. Different cases are Avdalas and Samonturov, who are children with great perspective and of course are counted on for the future. As for him Christos Serelisthe effort he put in to save what… was being saved from the chaos he received and will logically continue, as one of the partners of the new coach, was appreciated.

Let’s go, now, to his chapter George Papagiannis. The contract of the international center is completed and everything is open. This season was very bad for him as well, with the minor point being that he was not helped at all by the team, but of course he has his own responsibilities. Ergin Ataman reportedly wants himsince he has information that he considers valuable and let’s not forget that he is Greek, but it is clear how he is not intended to be the team’s main center in the new season. It’s difficult to stick with a very long contract, but if he puts water in his wine, it’s not unlikely that he will renew. This is helped by the relationship he has with the club and Dimitris Giannakopoulos. For the 26-year-old ace, there is no competition from the NBA (although he had found an agent in the USA, no interest has arisen at the moment), however, several Euroleague teams, such as Fenerbahce, are considering him with interest.

Regarding the transfers, the budget will rise significantly, possibly doubling from this year’s which finally reached or even exceeded 10 million euros. Closed should be considered the Luka Vildosa, Dimitris Moraitis and Costas Antetokounmpo, with many more additions to come. Ergin Ataman wants high-level players in all positions, with a special emphasis on guards. The “greens” are known to have knocked on Facundo Campacho’s door, but in the end he preferred Real. There was also interest in Rodrigue Beaubois and Elijah Bryant, who will however continue in Ephesus. Panathinaikos has made a big offer to Kevin Pander and Matias Lessor and he awaits their decisions once the finals of the Adriatic League for Partizan are completed, while he is not left unmoved by players such as Mike Jamesonce it becomes available from Monaco.

Of course, there is also a desire to strengthen the Greek body. THE Ioannis Papapetrou it is not improbable that he will return, some rumors talked about him as well Nick Calatheswhile Panathinaikos wants data on Dino Mitoglou, in hopes of reducing his punishment for using a banned substance. A CAS decision on the case is expected next month and it is hoped to become available from November.

The task of the “greens”, despite the large amount of money they have, is not easy, since due to the team’s poor performance in recent years there is a distrust in the market. However the size and history of the clubin combination with presence of Ergin Ataman on his bench, they make Panathinaikos a pole of attraction that certainly cannot be overlooked by anyone.

An additional optimistic sign for the future is the fact that OAKA is being owned by Panathinaikos. The management has already decided to proceed with several moves for the reformation of the space, the modernization of the facilities, but also its better commercial use. The belief is expressed that in combination with the strong team that Panathinaikos aspires to create, OAKA will again become a place of joy for the team’s friends, in contrast to the gloomy scene that existed on the night of the fourth final.