Dimitrios Giannakopoulos, owner of the Greek basketball club Panathinaikos, revealed in a recent podcast that he made a formal offer to the Denver Nuggets to purchase the contract of three-time NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic. The proposal aimed to bring Jokic to Athens, but according to Giannakopoulos, the Nuggets declined the offer.

The discussion took place during an appearance on the "Euro Insiders" podcast, where Giannakopoulos described the bid as a "very serious proposal." He did not disclose specific financial details or terms of the offer but emphasized the intent to secure Jokic’s services for his team.

Jokic, who has been widely regarded as one of the leading players in the NBA, has been central to the Denver Nuggets’ recent success. The team has shown no public indication of interest in negotiating a buyout or trade concerning his contract.

Panathinaikos holds a significant position in European basketball, and acquiring a player of Jokic’s caliber would represent a landmark move. However, the rejection by Denver maintains the status quo in the NBA, where Jokic remains a key player for the Nuggets.

No further comments have been made by representatives of the Denver Nuggets or Nikola Jokic regarding the reported proposal. The situation highlights ongoing interest in top NBA talent from European clubs, though such efforts face substantial challenges given contractual obligations and league regulations.