Sounds like a trade is looming and soon at that. We need Kostas to play significant minutes, maybe at the 4?
Awesome. Really helps us out at backup wing and small ball stretch 4. Must be why we didn't sign Villanueva.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Rockets had Papanikolaou's draft rights but had to employ their mid-level exception to finally bring the two-time Euroleague winner to NBA</p>— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine/statuses/497863462232408065">August 8, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Houston is signing Kostas Papanikolaou to a two-year deal, league source tells Yahoo.</p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/statuses/497863708107079680">August 8, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I would probably rate Papanikolaou as another first round pick added to the roster. Not a lottery pick, mind you, but a mid- to late first rounder. Plus, he has the added benefit of a few years of pro experience, so his transition shouldn't be as rough as that of a kid right out of college. Still waiting for the precise contract details (reports are its a two-year deal), but this is something to at least get mildly excited about.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Pd-U-FeiG9w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>ESPN sources say Papanikolaou's deal with Houston is for $4.8 million this coming season and contains $4.6 million team option in 2015-16</p>— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine/statuses/497865079275008000">August 8, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Papanikolaou gets $4.8m guarantee for '14-15 season and team option for 2nd year at $4.6m. He's been in Europe since 2012 draft. 48th pick.</p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/statuses/497865078184878080">August 8, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Papanikolaou gets $4.8m guarantee for '14-15 season and team option for 2nd year at $4.6m. He's been in Europe since 2012 draft. 48th pick.</p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/statuses/497865078184878080">August 8, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I was worried when talks broke off earlier this offseason, thank goodness they continued to negotiate and have him signed now. Some backup SF (and maybe backup PF in spurts).
Finally some good news this offseason! I'm excited to see what this kid can do. He's from the Thomas Robinson trade right?
They must really like him if they were willing to give him Full MLE. Also the team option really helps the situation, although I wish it was non-guaranteed.
