Nemanja Nedovic: The clause in his contract that allows him to leave Panathinaikos / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Hellenic Basketball Federation Credit Hellenic Basketball Federation

Nemanja Nedovic's commitment to Panathinaikos OPAP Athens has been in question since the 31-year-old Serbian star guard reportedly received an enticing offer from his former team,Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade.

Free throws this season

72%12,6Points made:12,6Accuracy:72,4%Place in standings:9Record max:21Record min:4Most made FTs:Nikola KalinicTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

The player and the Greek side had signed a two-year deal in the summer of 2021, valid until 2023. But that doesn't mean Nedovic will wear the green jersey next season. According to Mozzart Sport, the Reds from Belgrade want to bring him back for another stint after his four-year presence (2008-12) on the team that essentially laid the ground for Nedovic to achieve greater things in his career.

Per the Greek newspaper LiveSport, the two-year contract signed by the Serbian guard and PAO has an opt-out clause for both sides. If the club wants out, it can do so in the next three days (until July 10), paying Nedovic 100.000 euros.

The Serb can do the same, but at a heavier price, since he must pay the Greek club 300.000 euros until July 20. However, whether that clause can be activated is still up for debate.

Panathinaikos' communications director Dimitris Kontos explained the situation.

"There was a term on Nedovic's contract that he had to play 28 out of the 34 EuroLeague regular-season games. Had he done so, the opt-in clause for next season would have been activated automatically. But he played 26 out of 32 games because two contests were canceled due to the Russian teams' suspension.

However, the percentage is the same. The club thought that the cooperation between the two sides would continue," Kontos told Greek bwin SportFM radio.

"The player's side and (his agent) Misko Raznatovic felt they could lean on that term, although the number of games hasn't been reached," Kontos continued before making clear that the club isn't eager to enter a legal dispute with the player.

Nemanja Nedovic

MIN:23.59PTS:14.27 (53.28%)REB:2.15As:3.15ST:0.5BL:0.08TO:2.15GM:26ProfileEuroLeague2021/2022

"Panathinaikos will never go into a legal dispute with an athlete. There is no reason to keep a disgruntled player. Panathinaikos will neither go to court nor blackmail a dissatisfied player. The club has supported Nedovic, giving him a two-year contract," he said and further revealed that, at some point, the Greek club tried to match Zvezda's offer to Nedovic.

"It was discussed that we made a three-year offer worth more than 3 million, as Red Star seem to offer him. With 300.000 euros, he becomes a free agent. If this is his choice, Panathinaikos will not stay in the player's way. We will look forward and proceed with our planning under this new treaty," Kontos pointed out.

"Until a few days ago, the team thought it would have the player for next season," he admitted.

Panathinaikos OPAP Athens

Position Player Status PG Stefan Jovic Signed until 2022 +1 PG Paris Lee(story) Signed until 2023 +1 PG/SG Nemanja Nedovic Signed until 2023 PG/SG Daryl Macon Signed until 2022 +1 SG/SF Panagiotis Kalaitzakis(story) Signed until 2025 SF Howard Sant-Roos Signed until 2023 SF Ioannis Papapetrou Signed until 2023 SF/PF Lefteris Mantzoukas Signed until 2025 PF Okaro White Signed until 2022 +1 PF Nikos Chougkaz Signed until 2025 C Giorgos Papagiannis Signed until 2023 C Vassilis Kavvadas Signed until 2022 +1 Coach Dejan Radonjic(story) Expired contract Giorgos Vovoras (will not return), Peyton Siva, Lefteris Bochoridis, Leonidas Kaselakis (will not return), Jeremy Evans Rumored to leave Stefan Jovic, Nemanja Nedovic (story) Interested Arturas Gudaitis (story) Support BasketNews so we could make even better content.