Richaun Holmes headed to Europe on massive deal with Panathinaikos
NBA big man Richaun Holmes is taking his talents overseas, agreeing to a two-year deal with Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos that will make him one of Europe’s highest-paid basketball players.
The 31-year-old veteran chose the European route after being waived by the Washington Wizards last month.
Holmes has bounced around the NBA for nearly a decade, playing for five different teams since entering the league in 2015.
His best stretch came with the Sacramento Kings, where he blossomed into a productive starting center. During the 2020-21 season, Holmes put up career numbers – 14.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game.
But his role has diminished in recent years.
With Washington last season, Holmes appeared in just 31 games, averaging 7.4 points and 5.7 rebounds in limited minutes.
The Wizards decided to cut ties with Holmes rather than pay his $13.3 million salary for next season, which was mostly non-guaranteed.
After hitting free agency, Holmes had a choice to make. According to Eurohoops.net, he was weighing Panathinaikos’ offer while hoping for a guaranteed NBA contract to materialize.
That NBA deal never came.
Several EuroLeague teams showed interest in the 6’10” center, including Turkish club Fenerbahce, but Panathinaikos ultimately won the bidding war.
Holmes joins a Panathinaikos team hungry for championships after coming up short last season. The Greens dominated Greece’s regular season with a perfect 22-0 record before losing to rival Olympiacos in the finals.
They also finished third in EuroLeague play with a strong 22-12 mark but fell to Fenerbahce in the semifinals.
Now Holmes will try to help push them over the top while cashing in on one of Europe’s richest basketball contracts.
