Eurohoops: Bucks, Pelicans negotiating with Rockets for Kostas Papanikolaou

Thanks for chiming in Anchel. I haven't read one of your post in awhile. I was thinking the same thing after I posted that. What do you think about Llulls current trade value would be based on his performance? Last I read about Llull was his signing with Real Madrid and the scouting reports at that time.

Anything you can tell us about the Greek player? I think several, if not most of us, just heard about the him because he was part of the T Rob trade.

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Gazzetta.gr is reporting Houston will not buy out Kostas Papanikolaou this summer. Won't allow the Bucks, Pelicans or Hawks to acquire him.</p>&mdash; Adam Papageorgiou (@adamosgp) <a href="https://twitter.com/adamosgp/statuses/356571114610237440">July 15, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>That means Papanikolaou would play one last season at Olympiakos (3-peat chance is alive) and Houston brings him over for free summer 2014.</p>&mdash; Adam Papageorgiou (@adamosgp) <a href="https://twitter.com/adamosgp/statuses/356571632652918785">July 15, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Papanikolaou will join Houston in 2014 <a href="http://t.co/ZEoby1jTtV">http://t.co/ZEoby1jTtV</a></p>&mdash; TalkBasket (@TalkBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/TalkBasket/statuses/356744667116740608">July 15, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

There's some rumors going around in Europe at the moment that Barcelona are trying to buy him from Olympiacos. If that happens, they'll try to extend his contract and up his buyout. Chances are it's hogwash (as most rumors from the Barca camp have been this summer), but it's something to keep an eye out for.

 

Love that we're keeping this guy long-term. He's gonna be a welcome addition next season.

 

It's hardly set in stone that he'll join the Rockets next year.

As Akkuron pointed out, Kostas might end up getting sold to FC Barcelona, which could end up preventing bringing him over to the NBA next year and possibly anytime soon. It just as well might not, just to be clear, but it very well could. As could an extension with Olympiacos.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>It's rumored in Greece that <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket">@FCBbasket</a> is offering more than 1 m. euros to <a href="https://twitter.com/olympiacosbc">@olympiacosbc</a> in order to get Papanikolaou</p>&mdash; Eurohoops.net (@Eurohoopsnet) <a href="https://twitter.com/Eurohoopsnet/statuses/357421624166858752">July 17, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

Assuming what his agent says is true about his desire to come over, It'll probably come down to what the rockets decide. If that's what the estimated salary will be, it shouldn't be an issue to match or exceed if the Rox really decided to go after him next off-season.

 

This guy is a trade asset along with a possible future role player here. And he actually may have more value to us in trade, especially if he blows up over there this year.

 

Bringing in players from Europe doesn't work on a salary-matching principle. A new team there means a new contract. The 1.5m euros Barca is offering is to Olympiacos, not to the player. His contract details have to be decided later and they could include a massive buyout for years to come, like Real Madrid did with Llull.

Personally I doubt it. Barcelona has been involved in a lot of high profile rumors that all turned out to be bull this summer and I don't think Pap would cripple his chance to ever play in the NBA by accepting clauses that would make him untouchable. If I were him, I'd just make sure to be free to decide my own fate next summer and stay with a team that will guarantee me minutes and contention.

 

Possibly and I get what you're saying. As for increasing his value, he's already a noted starter in a back-to-back Euroleage Champion team. If he were to blow up even more, I don't see why he can't be signed to a great value contract to our team. It's not like we're loaded or committed to any wing/swing beyond CP. Either way, he's looking like a good asset to have.

Thanks for clarifying that. I definitely glossed over the important detail of Olympiacos possibly selling his rights to Barca.

 

- Llull's current trade value... good 2nd round pick for sure, probably a late 1st one, like Koopa, I guess.

- Papanikolaou.. I doubt he signs with Barcelona because has shown in the past desire and willingness to play in the NBA. He could sign a top contract (money wise) with his current club, it's a top european club. And they would be glad to give him that contract. If doesn't happen, I guess it is because he wants to keep his NBA options open.

As a player, he is what we have read right here the past weeks. Lefty tall long armed SF. Good motor, high IQ, very good without the ball. Average athleticism, probably below average lateral quickness (just as Battier, just saying). NBA range for 3pt shots. Good instincts for rebounding. Good help defender... Don't expect him to create his own shot. Not a pure shooter neither like I read here at some time... Can make shots, good standing shooter, but don't expect elite %s, neither him hitting them on the move...

Overall, elite role player in Europe, whose qualities (because of size, high IQ, motor, and shooting) seem to translate well for a similar role at a higher level.

 

Thank you for the insight.

IMO, priority #1 is upgrading the PF slot, whether through trade or organically (DMo or TJones). I don't think the Rockets will do anything significant cap-wise until this is addressed.This includes using the MLE.

The Mid-Level Exception next year will be $5.3 million. I wonder if we could get Papanikolaou for $2.3 million and Llull for $3 million. It would be hard for the Rockets to justify more for two players without any NBA experience.

 

I think it depends on how Casspi does for us this year. I would think it would take the full MLE to bring Llull over, and more importantly he would need assurances of playing time. Llull is a big time guy over in Europe now, it would take a lot to convince him to give that up. See the decisions other Spaniards like Rudy Fernandez and Juan Carlos Navarro made in opting to go back home rather than sticking around as fringe role players in the NBA. Could he contribute a great deal to our current team? I certainly think so. A pairing of him and Beverly/him and Canaan would be really good for our team in 2-3 years.

It's fascinating to me to watch Morey finally in his new role as "Empire Maintainer". We always said back then just as Tracy and Yao were breaking down that we could really have used a guy like Morey in 2004-2006. He was always sooo good at plucking useful role players out of the chaff. If only he could get the superstars, we said, then he would be an expert at building around them and maintaining our championship contention year after year, RC Buford-style.

Well, now we have it. Morey's got his chips, and he's lining up all his shots to be made for the next 1, 2, 3 years in terms of cheap young underrated talent. We're not going after big name over the hill guys the way the Cleveland and Orlando managements were doing 5yrs ago. And that's smart in my mind. Morey must be having a mental orgasm every time he goes to work now. He's like Sherlock Holmes when all the pieces are starting to fit together.

Watch out NBA.

 

It might be possible to sign Paps to a Parsons style contract if he's still on his first pro contract. If he goes to Spain he's getting paid.

Remember Rubio was on 80k/yr.

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>“<a href="https://twitter.com/Eurohoopsnet">@Eurohoopsnet</a>: According to <a href="https://twitter.com/dampap2005">@dampap2005</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/olympiacosbc">@olympiacosbc</a> offered an extension to Papanikolaou <a href="http://t.co/zBGc4QMWX2">http://t.co/zBGc4QMWX2</a>” 1-year. Of course.</p>&mdash; Adam Papageorgiou (@adamosgp) <a href="https://twitter.com/adamosgp/statuses/357542891897360385">July 17, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>I know Spanoulis has told Papanikolaou about his constantly miserable time in Houston. But JVG isn't coaching now, and they're a contender.</p>&mdash; Adam Papageorgiou (@adamosgp) <a href="https://twitter.com/adamosgp/statuses/357543342055239682">July 17, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

Papanikolaou and Llull are better than what we have at backup spots now, hell I think Llull would be the starting PG over Bev and Lin.

I hope we keep both, to me our best trade assists will be the 1st rounders we will have no problem signing decent players at the vet minimum with Harden and Howard and we still have a ton of 2nd rounders to use.

 

Looks like Kostas to Barca may go down after all.

https://twitter.com/SportandoBasket

https://twitter.com/Eurohoopsnet

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Per Sport24.gr, Olympiacos is ready to accept <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket">@FCBbasket</a> proposal for Papanikolaou after the player asked for a rich 3-year extension</p>&mdash; Emiliano Carchia (@SportandoBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportandoBasket/statuses/357917484243886080">July 18, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>FC Barcelona is offering €1.5M to buyout Kostas Papanikolaou's contract from Olympiacos and offered to player a 3-year, €700k per year deal</p>&mdash; Emiliano Carchia (@SportandoBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportandoBasket/statuses/357917702574182400">July 18, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>FC Barcelona will also add a €1.5M NBA buyout in Kostas Papanikolaou's new contract (if the deal will be finalized)</p>&mdash; Emiliano Carchia (@SportandoBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportandoBasket/statuses/357918009924395008">July 18, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Kostas Papanikolaou asked to Olympiacos a new 3-year deal.
1st year: €1.2M
2nd year: €1.6M
3rd year: €2M

with taxes is around €12M</p>&mdash; Emiliano Carchia (@SportandoBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportandoBasket/statuses/357918293077671936">July 18, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>According to Sport24.gr Pap asked for a 3 years 6,5 m. dollars net contract from <a href="https://twitter.com/olympiacosbc">@olympiacosbc</a>. If that is true, then <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket">@FCBbasket</a> is near</p>&mdash; Eurohoops.net (@Eurohoopsnet) <a href="https://twitter.com/Eurohoopsnet/statuses/357913145966198785">July 18, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>It's confirmed by Papanikolaou's camp that the asking price is a total of 4,7 m. euros for <a href="https://twitter.com/olympiacosbc">@olympiacosbc</a>. No counter proposal yet by Oly</p>&mdash; Eurohoops.net (@Eurohoopsnet) <a href="https://twitter.com/Eurohoopsnet/statuses/357918946105634817">July 18, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>The 6,5 m. sum and total 12 m. with taxes is in USD</p>&mdash; Eurohoops.net (@Eurohoopsnet) <a href="https://twitter.com/Eurohoopsnet/statuses/357919106051215360">July 18, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

And there ends the Popanpalouehrndkdks dream.

 

Oh well. We have Dwight ****ing Howard.

 

http://www.eurohoops.net/2013/07/dunks/29967

If this recent development is genuine it looks like the time to sign him or trade Paps is now.

The USD & tax being reported makes me a little sceptical if that's being fed by his people. I sense it could be sport agent maneuvering to try and get him over to the NBA.