Giannakopoulos reveals talks with Mirotic, Bartzokas, admits soft spot for Vezenkov / News - Basketnews.com

At some point, Dimitris Giannakopoulos was sure Nikola Mirotic would sign with Panathinaikos. However, things turned out differently.

Credit: Irina R. Hipolito/AFP7 via ZUMA Press Wire - Scanpix; Vangelis Stolls Credit Irina R. Hipolito/AFP7 via ZUMA Press Wire - Scanpix; Vangelis Stolls

During his two-hour-long interview with SDNA, Dimitris Giannakopoulos spoke about some ofPanathinaikos Athens' targets in free agency.

The first name that was brought up was that of Nikola Mirotic, who reportedly received an offer from the Greens at some point. PAO's owner revealed that the Montenegrin forward gave him the impression that he was going to sign with the Greek side, while adding that he probably did the same with all potential suitors.

"At some point, I spoke with him and we had a nice conversation," he said on 'Magic EuroLeague' show.

"We spoke on the phone one night. He showed me how much he loved Greece. When we hung up, I said that I cannot see how Mirotic will not come to Panathinaikos. Then I found out he had been telling other teams the same," he said.

A player that PAO have on their radar is Svi Mykhailiuk. However, as Giannakopoulos confirmed, no official offer has been made to the player.

"To the little knowledge that I have of him as an athlete, and to my more extended knowledge of how he is as a human being, he'll be an important tool and piece. Let the coach make his final decisions. If he tells me to press the button, I'll have to do it," he said, referring to coach Ergin Ataman's decision.

Giannakopoulos repeated once again that Tyler Dorsey's issue lies purely on his current team, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, and coach Dimitris Itoudis.

"We're interested in the best players there are on the market, especially Greeks, who are few and far between. This model has brought us to the top of Europe and that's what we're going to follow."

PAO also tried to bring backMario Hezonja, whom Giannakopoulos called an "unbelievable player."

"I wish he was on the team this year. The fans love him too. He always gives 150%. Next year his contract expires, and the coach will decide whether he should be added to our roster or not," he said.

Giannakopoulos referred to Dwayne Bacon's addition as a mistake he had to make for two important reasons.

"Before we took him, I said 'this is wrong' and that it's a mistake that shouldn't be made," he admitted. "But in that moment, considering how the team was playing and what the fans were asking for, it was an inevitable move that had to be made."

Read more:Giannakopoulos slams Bertomeu, explains his big comeback and investment

The 49-year-old businessman was asked about Giorgos Bartzokas, whom he called "a great coach." What's even more interesting is that, at some point, the coach and die-hard fan of Olympiacos Piraeus, was approached by Giannakopoulos in order to take over PAO.

"We talked, I don't remember what year it was. I wanted to bring him to Panathinaikos," Panathinaikos' major shareholder said.

"I have a huge appreciation for him as a coach. Unfortunately, he has issues of his own. Complexes, insecurities, he speaks arrogantly... On the one hand, he is an excellent coach and on the other a small person.

Why create animosities? With a budget of 12-15 million, he has brought his team where it is right now. He shouldn't even be paying attention to us. How you behave shows your character.

Bartzokas started as an assistant and became a top coach. If he were a free agent, he'd be an option for me."

One of the players that help Olympiacos build a huge winning streak against their main rivals was Sasha Vezenkov. The Bulgarian forward left the Reds for Sacramento, but Giannakopoulos noticed a detail on his deal that might be useful in the future.

"Fortunately, there's no clause on his contract that forces him to return to Olympiacos if he comes back to Europe. I'm just saying how much I'd like to see Vezenkov in green," he said and referred to a story that transpired in 2018.

"He's a terrific player. I tried to call him. His agent at the time told me that he didn't want Vezenkov and Mitoglou on the same team. He's an unbelievable athlete."

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