As the general consensus dictated and as TalkBasket reported weeks ago, Sarunas Jasikevicius will be staying "Green" for another season. According to sources from Greece Jasikevicius has taken his final decision just hours ago and accepted Panathinaikos' offer for a 1+1 contract with Panathinaikos having the option for the second year.
Three reasons (besides, of course, his own desire to stay in Athens playing for a club that targets the top everywhere) were the main behind "Saras" decision. First and most important reason was Zeljko Obradovic' presense at Panathinaikos' bench and his desire to keep the player and the outmost respect Jasikevicius has for the Serb coach. And that is why Jasikevicius asked (and got!) an unusual release clause in his contract, which allows him to walk out on Panathinaikos in case Obradovic leaves Panathinaikos for any reason.
The second reason was the ultimatum issued by Panathinaikos via their vice-president Thanasis Giannakopoulos who said that Panathinaikos expected the Lithuanian star's answer to their offer by the end of last week or early current week or the offer would be withdrawn.
And finally the third reason was the lack of any real alternative solutions for the player as many teams wanted him but very few could actually afford him and none made a better offer than Panathinaikos. That is why Jasikevicius accepted the 1.7 million euros contract offered by (reduced by more than 50% compared to his previous contract) the Greens.
