Giannakopoulos became a topic in the US for Jokic: What ESPN and Yahoo Sports wrote

The interview that Dimitris Giannakopoulos granted to "Euro Insiders" did not remain within European borders. His mention of Nikola Jokic and, most importantly, the revelation that he had already submitted a serious offer to acquire him caused a particular sensation in the USA.

The issue immediately became a hot topic in American sports news, as it concerns one of the NBA's biggest stars and the possibility – as difficult as it may seem – of him leaving Denver for Europe at some point.

ESPN Special on Panathinaikos and Jokic
ESPN gave special weight to Giannakopoulos' statements, publishing a separate report on Panathinaikos' attempt to acquire Jokic.

The American network presented in detail the revelation that an offer was made to the Denver Nuggets to buy out the last guaranteed season of the Serb's contract, as well as Giannakopoulos' intention to try again to bring him to Athens when he can go on the market as a free agent.

In the same article, ESPN cites the financial details of the case, noting that Jokic can become an unrestricted free agent next summer if he does not activate his option for next season. At the same time, it notes that from July 2027 he will be able to sign a five-year extension with the Nuggets worth $359.5 million, which, according to the network, will be the largest contract in NBA history.

The case also on Yahoo Sports
Yahoo Sports also covered the issue, which also presented as news the revelation that Panathinaikos attempted to buy out Jokic's contract from the Nuggets.

The American outlet focused particularly on Dimitris Giannakopoulos' intention to return, should the Serbian star find himself on the free agent market, thus moving the case to the center of the discussion surrounding Jokic's future.

The report was not limited, however, to only the two outlets, as the case was also reproduced by other American sports networks and websites, a sign of the impression made in the US by the prospect of a move that, under the current financial conditions of the NBA, seems extremely difficult.

What Giannakopoulos revealed
The strongman of the Panathinaikos AKTOR had stated in his interview that the player he dreams of acquiring is Nikola Jokic and insisted that the effort he made was in no way a joke.

"The player that I dream of and have not signed yet, I will sign next year. It’s Jokic. The best player in the world. Don’t laugh at all. If I don’t bring Jokic, I’m not going anywhere. This year I tried to make an offer. Call Misko Raznatovic and ask him. People will say I’m joking, but I made a very serious offer this year, both to his team and to him. It was rejected,” he said.

He then explained that he tried to buy out the last year of the Serb’s contract:

“I know he has another year left on his contract. You know his numbers. I tried to buy out the last year of his contract, they didn’t even think about it. It took them a few seconds to say, ‘Who? Greece? What? Goodbye’ from his team. Let’s wait until next year. I’m a man with a lot of upside and a lot of downside.”

The astronomical amounts of the contract
The financial data also explain why this particular case has aroused so much interest in the United States. According to ESPN, the 31-year-old Jokic has two seasons and a total of $121.8 million remaining on his existing contract, with the second being a player option.

The Serb is already eligible for a four-year extension worth $278 million, but has not committed to it, as by waiting until 2027 he will be able to claim the new five-year super max of $359.5 million.

Amidst these financial data, the prospect of him leaving the NBA for Panathinaikos seems extremely difficult. This, however, did not prevent Giannakopoulos' revelation from becoming news in the US and putting the name of the "greens" in the American discussion about the future of one of the world's top players.