Edy Tavares discusses pending contract extension, PAO rumors, Olympiacos' Final Four chances / News - Basketnews.com

Edy Tavares talked about his expiring deal with Real Madrid, Panathinaikos' plans of signing him, and the two Greek team's EuroLeague potential.

Credit: Srdjan Stevanovic/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Srdjan Stevanovic/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

As Real Madrid prepare to battle in Greek territory, going up against Olympiacos Piraeus on Tuesday night and Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens two days later, Walter Tavares knows he will be a free agent next summer.

Walter Tavares

MIN:19.84PTS:9.7 (68.89%)REB:5.3As:1.5ST:0.5BL:1.5TO:1.9GM:10ProfileEuroLeague2023/2024

The big man from Cape Verde and Los Blancos have sat at the negotiation table for a contract extension, but they haven't found a solution.

"Right now, I'm focused on the current season. I want to help the team do back-to-back in the EuroLeague. I want to do the best I can. Be the same Tavares as last year or even a little better. That's my only goal. When the season is over, we'll see," the two-time EuroLeague champ told Vassiliki Karamouza of SPORT24.

Asked about whether his priority would be to stay in Europe or make an NBA comeback, Tavares named his family as his No.1 criteria.

"If my family is happy with something, we'll talk about it. Right now, I'm focused on my job here in Madrid. I want to do everything I can for the club to achieve its goals and for me to achieve mine," he replied.

"At the end of the season, we will discuss everything. Now I want to help Real Madrid win every game and every trophy that we can claim."

A few months ago, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos mentioned that he would like both Tavares and Mario Hezonja on the team. The big man said he knows nothing about the rumored interest.

"My agents always tell me to stay calm and work hard. I don't know if he talked to them or not. My only concern is to do my best and finish the season successfully. When the season is over, we'll talk about what's coming," he repeated.

Real Madrid are coming off their first EuroLeague loss of the season, going down against Fenerbahce in Istanbul in dramatic fashion. Tavares expected his team to drop a game anytime soon.

Walter Tavares

Team:Real MadridPosition:CAge:31Height:221 cmWeight:120 kgBirth place:Cabo VerdeProfileNewsStatistics

"We could not remain undefeated because we are playing in a top competition. We knew defeat would come either last week or this week," he argued.

Olympiacos were last year's title contenders in the Final Four held in Kaunas. The Reds were leading for the better part of the final game before big-time shots by Sergio Rodriguez and Sergio Llull decided the outcome and garnered Madrid their 11th continental title.

"Those feelings were wonderful," Tavares admitted.

"We had a bad experience in the 2022 Final Four when we lost to Efes, so I understand how they felt at Olympiacos when they were the best team all season and lost by one point. I know it hurts. Savvy. But that's basketball, that's life. We will try our best and win the following game," he added.

Tavares thinks Olympiacos bear a resemblance to last year's Real Madrid in terms of their Final Four outlook.

"Nobody thought we would go to the Final Four or that we would get all the way to the final and win," he said. "You never know. Olympiacos are always there. They're one of the biggest names in Europe, with a lot of players who know what it's like to win championships. I think there's a 99% chance they'll make the Final Four," Tavares predicted.

The veteran center also appeared confident that Panathinaikos "will be in the Final Four or maybe even win it."

"They made great moves and brought in a lot of players," he explained. "They know they've been playing badly for the last two or three years, and they know they've had to make strides.

They have already taken the first steps, hiring a top coach (Ergin Ataman) and signing players who had an excellent season last year or who came from the NBA. They have the results they deserve so far, they are on the right track," he concluded.

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