Blazers Center George Papagiannis Reportedly Headed to Panathinaikos

The Portland Trail Blazers are expected to release center George Papagiannis, clearing the way for him to sign a three-year deal with Panathinaikos in Athens, Greece according to a report published by Eurohoops.net. Author Kostas Giataganas cites site sources claiming the 21-year old center, himself from Greece, is not long for the NBA.

Giataganas claims the Euro club has planned for the move:

Panathinaikos have already included Papagiannis in the club’s long-term plans and are ready to add him with a three-year contract.

The move isn’t expected to take long. Logically it would coincide with the end of Portland’s run through NBA Summer League.

Papagiannis is very close to returning to Europe and Panathinaikos and developments on the matter are to be expected very soon.

The Blazers acquired Papagiannis in March after he was waived by the Sacramento Kings, who drafted him 13th overall in the 2016 NBA Draft. He appeared only once for Portland during the regular season. He holds career averages of 4.1 points and 3.2 rebounds in 39 total appearances over two seasons in the NBA.