By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
The situation with Kostas Papanikolaou contract is well known. The Greek forward was traded to Denver and he has a contract for 4,6 million dollars for next season which is not guaranteed until the 5th of October.
On Saturday night, there were rumors about Denver releasing him. However at this point there are just rumors. Until now, the player’s side has no knowledge for this matter and the Nuggets hasn’t informed them about those kind of intentions.
According to Eurohoops sources, the Nuggets‘ plan when they aquired Papanikolaou was to keep him in their roster and take their decision about him during Eurobasket, probably at the end of the tournament. That was their intention and that’s why they didn’t try to use his contract as a trade asset.
Denver’s GM Tim Conelly and his assistant Arturas Karnisovas have in their hands the full preparation schedule of the Greek national team and they intend to travel to Europe, see Papanikolaou play and also other players who play for Denver, or their rights belong to them.
Papanikolaou has said that his priority is to stay in the NBA. However, this is a decision which belongs exclusively to Denver and the worst possible scenario for the Greek forward will be to be cut at October, when the NBA rosters will be almost set. If this happens, it will be very hard for him to stay in the NBA, unless he accepts a minimum deal.
It’s a logical assumption that Papanikolaou’s side wants the situation to be resolved at least before the end of Eurobasket. If that’s the case and he gets cut, then every option about the future of his career will be on the table. And if he doesn’t get a decent deal in the NBA, then it’s a given that there will be interest for him in Europe, considering his value as a player.