Mike James on Durant in EuroLeague, Olympiacos rumors and talks with Giannakopoulos / News - Basketnews.com

Mike James clears the air on Kevin Durant and EuroLeague: "I doubt he will ever play here."

Credit: Valencia Basket/Miguel Angel Polo, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con-Scanpix, Vangelis Stolis Credit Valencia Basket/Miguel Angel Polo, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con-Scanpix, Vangelis Stolis

In a recent interview with Achilleas Mavrodontis of Sportal.gr, AS Monaco star Mike James addressed various topics, shedding light on Kevin Durant and the EuroLeague and the rumors surrounding a potential move to Olympiacos Piraeus.

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James was asked about his good friend Durant and whether he would convince him to end his career in the EuroLeague, as Mike had extended an invitation to KD to witness the Monaco-Olympiacos playoff series in 2022.

Even though Durant had mentioned the idea of concluding his playing days in Barcelona, James played down the likelihood of the Phoenix Suns superstar making a move to the Old Continent.

"When he said that, I think that it got made to be something bigger," James pointed out. "I doubt he will ever play here, to be honest. Like all of us, got caught in the moment and just enjoying where you at, and he just probably said something, but I doubt he will ever be here. He just enjoyed his time here and said it to make some people happy."

Addressing the summer rumors about a potential transfer to Olympiacos, James clarified that it was merely interest and got exaggerated in Greece, a basketball-crazed country. He also affirmed his commitment to the Roca Team.

"It was just interest, I guess," James noted. "Greece is a basketball country, so just anything that has to do with basketball thing kind of gets blown out of proportion. I was never out of contract with Monaco, so I do not know what the avenues were, what was going on, or what was written every day. Obviously, I have a Greek agent, so I kind of know, but, like I said, I was always a Monaco player.

"I never really got out of the contract, they never cut me, I never left or any part of that," he continued. "I was always under contract with them. I was always in Monaco. Rumors happen in Greece, and then Greek people, in general, get excited and just talk around, and that's how papers and everything happens.

Free throws this season

77%15,1Points made:15,1Accuracy:77,0%Place in standings:4Record max:26Record min:9Most made FTs:Mike JamesTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

"I mean, I have friends on their team. I talk to [Nikola] Milutinov once a week. Some things kind of just happened," the star guard added. "I seen Thomas [Walkup] probably two or three times this summer. We just kind of kept running into each other. We ran each other at Houston Airport one time, sat down, and just had a drink or two. You know, I respect Olympiacos and what they are doing. I do not know what my future holds for me, but they have a great organization, do great things, and play hard. Obviously, I respect coach Georgios Bartzokas a lot."

Regarding the Instagram story -- "Mike James, really?" -- by Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens president Dimitris Giannakopoulos, who questioned James' alleged talks with Olympiacos, the 33-year-old guard stated they still have a great connection.

"First of all, we still have a great relationship," James, a former Panathinaikos player (2016-17, 2018), said of Giannakopoulos. "I did not see that [Instagram story] at first. I think my agent sent it to me. With people that I respect and have a relationship with, I did not want to make it like a go back and forth on the internet thing, if that makes sense.

"Obviously, he did not like some things that were going on, and when all those rumors were going around, I kind of figured he would have something to say about it because of our relationship. After that, we had a conversation, and I just kind of told him what was going on and what the real side of my story was, or whatever.

"I think relationships are built on mutual respect, and I think he respected just me being upfront with him and telling him what was going on and telling him what actually was happening. I think we still have a good relationship. ... Me and him are good. We have always been good, and I hope to be good in the future still."

When asked about playing for a Greek team in the future, James mentioned that he is in the last year of his contract with Monaco, with no discussions about an extension having taken place.

"This is my last year in the contract with Monaco. We have not talked about extension or anything like that," James emphasized. "If that continues that way or we don't get something done, whatever the case may be, and free agency in Greece, it is always a place that I like. I always try to choose places where I like to live. ... Greece is always towards the top of my list as far as playing destinations and living wise. For me, it is a little bit more controversial because there are really only two teams here, and then I kind of have to deal with one side or the other."

Full interview with Mike James:

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