Olympiacos appears to be intensifying its search for a guard after talks with Partizan for Frank Ntilikina fell through. The Greek club now faces a pressing need to strengthen its backcourt ahead of the EuroLeague and Greek domestic season.
Head coach Giorgos Bartzokas confirmed the urgency, stating, “We need a guard immediately and we are working towards this direction.” The team is navigating a challenging period, balancing roster gaps and the upcoming competitive schedule.
The situation caught the attention of former NBA All-Star Isaiah Thomas, who reacted to Bartzokas’ comments on Instagram with a simple eyes emoji. The gesture has fueled speculation that Thomas could be interested in filling the guard vacancy.
Thomas, 36, boasts a lengthy NBA career spanning teams including the Sacramento Kings, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Lakers. He is a two-time All-Star and was named to the All-NBA Second Team in 2017.
After several stints in the G League and overseas, Thomas has continued to demonstrate scoring ability, averaging 29.1 points and 5.7 assists in 14 games with the Salt Lake City Stars last season.
Olympiacos’ current guard rotation features Evan Fournier, Thomas Walkup, Saben Lee, Tyler Dorsey, and Giannoulis Larentzakis, though Keenan Evans remains sidelined due to injury. Bartzokas has emphasized that reinforcements are necessary to meet both domestic and European challenges.
The Greek champions are preparing for the Stoiximan Super Cup in Rhodes, beginning with a match against Karditsa Iaponiki. A win would advance them to the final against either AEK or Promitheas. EuroLeague play follows immediately, with games at Baskonia on September 30 and Real Madrid on October 2.
Negotiations for Ntilikina collapsed after Partizan requested a $300,000 buyout fee, which Olympiacos declined. With that option off the table, Thomas’ social media interaction adds a surprising twist to the club’s ongoing recruitment efforts.
