Dimitrios Giannakopoulos, the Greek businessman who owns Panathinaikos Basketball Club, said he made a "serious proposal" to buy Nikola Jokic out of the final season of his current NBA contract and believes he can sign him next summer. Giannakopoulos told the "Euro Insiders" podcast that he approached Jokic's team and the Denver Nuggets but was quickly rejected. \n\nJokic has two seasons and $121.8 million left on his contract, with a player option giving him free agency next summer. He became eligible for a four-year, $278 million max extension in June but has declined to commit, saying he wants to stay in Denver but will wait for financial reasons.

He could sign a five-year, $359.5 million extension with the Nuggets in 2027, the largest in NBA history. \n\nGiannakopoulos said the Nuggets dismissed his offer in seconds, joking they asked "Who? Greece? Where? What? Bye." He will pursue Jokic again when he becomes a free agent. \n\nGiannakopoulos previously tried to lure Jonas Valanciunas from the Nuggets; he left this summer for Zalgiris Kaunas. Denver added Marvin Bagley III and matched Spencer Jones' offer sheet while negotiating with Peyton Watson.