Everyone at Panathinaikos expected the season to end differently than it did. Despite winning the Greek Cup in Crete, the overall season cannot be considered successful. The final impression left by the team’s performances in the EuroLeague Final Four and the Stoiximan GBL finals was disappointing.

Still, there won’t be major changes to the team’s roster. Instead, there will be targeted and careful additions — quality players from the top shelf who fit well into the team’s structure. Some departures have already been decided or are in the process.

Who’s Staying
Panathinaikos has built a strong core of 10 players. During the season, the club renewed the contracts of key players like Mathias Lessort, Juancho Hernangómez, Cedi Osman, and Kendrick Nunn — a clear sign of commitment to this core for the next 2–3 years.

Jerian Grant and Marius Grigonis had also extended their contracts last summer. Grigonis, however, struggled with a serious back injury and remains a big question mark. Wenyen Gabriel is another foreign player with an uncertain future.

Captain Kostas Sloukas, who led the team in the finals, is part of the core, along with Greek players Kalaitzakis, Samontourov, and Mitoglou. The status of Dimitris Moraitis and Ioannis Papapetrou is still unclear.

Who’s Leaving
Two players are almost certainly leaving: Lorenzo Brown and Omer Yurtseven. Brown, acquired as a marquee player, never lived up to expectations and underperformed compared to his days at Maccabi, Fenerbahçe, or Red Star. Although under contract until 2027, both sides are expected to agree on a mutual release. Brown is already linked with other EuroLeague teams, potentially returning to Belgrade.

Yurtseven showed brief flashes of promise but ultimately failed to meet expectations. Panathinaikos has an option to renew his contract, but it won’t be exercised. He is also drawing interest from other clubs, including those in Turkey.

Wenyen Gabriel’s future is still undecided. He made a positive impact but might not fit into next season’s frontcourt plans.

Moraitis is likely to be loaned out despite having a year left on his contract. Papapetrou, whose deal is expiring, wasn’t a key part of Ataman’s plans and hasn’t been approached about a renewal.

Tibor Pleiss, who barely made an impact, will not return.

Who’s Coming
As the saying goes, “A wise man prepares before he gets hungry.” Panathinaikos has already signed one of the EuroLeague’s most sought-after guards — T.J. Shorts — through 2028 for €6 million. Following the end of the French league playoffs, his move will become official.

Another new arrival is Vasilis Toliopoulos, who signed a 3-year deal worth €1.5 million after a strong season with Aris and the national team. He will now play under coach Ergin Ataman.

Panathinaikos also plans to sign a top-tier center to support Mathias Lessort, especially after his injury this past season. If Gabriel stays, they may add a versatile forward-center — possibly someone like Dario Šarić, who was also on their radar last year.

Everything depends on Ataman’s vision for the frontcourt. A high-caliber center from outside the EuroLeague, even from the NBA, could be targeted to share minutes with Lessort. In such a case, Dinos Mitoglou would shift to the center spot when needed.

Despite rumors, Panathinaikos was never seriously interested in bringing back Georgios Papagiannis, who is expected to continue his career with Anadolu Efes.

The team is also scouting for a forward to complement their rotation. Much depends on whether Grigonis can return to high-level competition after his injury.

Another Greek talent, Nikos Rogkavopoulos, is on their list, but his €1.5 million buyout from Baskonia and his desire to stay in Vitoria for another year make this move uncertain.

Lastly, Neoklis Avdalas is likely heading to the U.S. — either to college basketball or the NBA, depending on how he fares in the draft.