Cedi Osman, after seven seasons in the NBA, signs to play for Panathinaikos in Greece

After being unable to secure a guaranteed NBA contract for the upcoming season, Cedi Osman, a seasoned seven-year NBA veteran, has decided to take his talents to Europe.

Osman has agreed to join Greek power Panathinaikos, club owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos said on Instagram (

via EuroHoops.com

Osman had hoped for a guaranteed NBA contract, but one was never offered. He was rumored to have a camp invite from the Lakers, but Los Angeles already has 15 guaranteed contracts on the books.

It's a little surprising no team did step up because Osman showed in his six seasons in Cleveland, plus last season in San Antonio, that he can fit as part of an NBA forward rotation. Last season with the Spurs, he averaged 6.8 points a game and shot 38.9% from 3 in 72 games. While he's a minus defender, he fits in a bench role, is under 30, has good size (6'7"), and it seemed someone would make an offer.

That works out for Panathinaikos, which is coached by Ergin Ataman, who is Osman's national team coach with Türkiye. That is rumored to be part of how the deal to go to Greece came together.