Paris Lee reveals broken Panathinaikos' promise, reflects on EuroLeague market / News - Basketnews.com

Paris Lee opens up on his relationship with Dimitris Giannakopoulos and Ergin Ataman's part in his departure from PAO. He also explains how rumors created uncertainty in the locker room and comments on the most important moves in the EuroLeague market.

Credit: Vangelis Stolis Credit Vangelis Stolis

Paris Lee holds a special title for himself. He was the first player to sign with Panathinaikos Athens last season since the two sides had an agreement in place since May 2022. He was also the first player to be released this summer after the Greek club decided to opt out of his 1+1 contract.

Paris Lee

Position:PGAge:28Height:183 cmWeight:84 kgBirth place:United States of AmericaProfileNewsStatistics

It had long been rumored that the Greens were willing to go in a different direction under coach Ergin Ataman and a significantly bigger budget at their disposal. Lee, for one, wasn't surprised -- even though the feedback he was getting was pointing to a happy ending.

Last December, Dimitris Giannakopoulos posted a photo of the two standing next to each other during an event in Athens.

PAO's owner wrote in the caption that all people have their favorite players and added that Lee might be joining a most personal list already, including Edgar Jones, Stojan Vrankovic, Frangiskos Alvertis, Dejan Tomasevic, Ibrahim Kutluay, and Mike James. He also used the hashtag #9yearscontract, implying that he wanted the American guard on the team long-term.

"After that post, for sure, me and DPG shared a couple of messages here and there on Instagram. He was showing love. From what I understand, he wanted me to come back, and I appreciate that," Paris Lee tells BasketNews from his house in Maywood, Illinois.

The 28-year-old point guard credits the Greek businessman for giving him a chance to showcase his skills and putting his name amongst some great ones.

"But I also respect the fact that he's trying to let Ataman do his thing and build the roster," he adds. "I have no hard feelings towards anybody. He and I appreciate that. I thought that we were going to work together long-term, but things didn't work out."

Lee thinks Giannakopoulos likes him so much because he's passionate and animated, always expressing his emotions. However, it seems that regardless of how much the club's leading figure wanted Lee on the team, Ataman's wishes were different.

"I heard rumors that DPG and everybody, for the most part, wanted me to come back. From what I've heard, it was the coach's decision," Lee argues.

"It's a business, so there's no hard feelings. He had a plan and a project of what he wanted to do. I just wasn't part of it. I have the utmost respect for Pana fans and the organization," he clarifies.

Lee didn't get to talk with the Turkish coach or any staff member about his future with the team. He let his agent run his business and handle all communication with Panathinaikos' representatives.

As he concedes, that was the only part of the process that really surprised him.

"For the most part, I definitely thought someone was going to communicate with me personally just because of the relationships I had with people around the organization. I didn't think it was going to be an agent-manager thing. I wouldn't use the term 'hurt,' but I kind of felt betrayed because I played through a lot of injuries. But

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