Theodoros Papaloukas gave a press conference yesterday, since his camp will begin on July, both in Athens and Thessaloniki, and spoke about everything. Teo admitted the rumours that he is searching for a team in NBA, adding that this team should give him the playing time, the money and the victories that he used to enjoy in Europe. He also revealed that he will definitely stay in CSKA if his dream for NBA will not be a reality. “I want to go to the NBA but only for playing in the highest level. I am not a teenager anymore; I am almost 31 years old, thus I have to be very careful. I will go to a team that is a winner; I don't want to play for a club that counts 50 losses every season. NBA is not like Europe and I am used to the European style. Here there are no salary cups, transactions and there are some very important and serious laws that are followed by everybody. It is not like Greece”, he stated, adding that “I am speaking with 12 teams but I cannot reveal them right now. CSKA wants to me to take a final decision till July 15th, but I respect them and I care for this team very much; so I should respond the earlier the possible. I think that a lot of teams are waiting right now and they stand on a weird position, due to the possible transaction of Kobe Bryant”. Referring to his preferring future team, Theodoros Papaloukas said that he would like to “a team where the coach would respect me and believe on what I can offer. I don't want to be like Vasilis Spanoulis (193-G-82, agency: Beo Basket) that has the quality and the potentials to play in the league but he belongs to a team that hasn't given him the opportunity to play. Personally, I am interested mostly for teams such as San Antonio, Dallas, Detroit, Cleveland and Miami. I am waiting for some changes on those teams. If an important player leaves, maybe there would be an empty place for me. However, it still is a very difficult and an important decision, as well”. And about any probability to deny the Greek National Team in the case of signing at NBA? “I would never say no to our national team, for the next two years at least. If they want me of course… As long I am physically capable to play at the highest level I will play for our national team! I am more than glad for all that had happened to me. It's really out of my imagination to deny my future in the national team”. Regarding any possibilities to return back to Greece, Teo confirmed that he had some discussions with somebody in Greece: “everybody may understand to whom I am referring to, I cannot mention his name though. He has shown me his real interest, for which I am honored, but I don't want to come back to Greece yet”.

Source http://eurobasket.com/GRE/GRE.asp

"I don't want to be like Vasilis Spanoulis (193-G-82, agency: Beo Basket) that has the quality and the potentials to play in the league but he belongs to a team that hasn't given him the opportunity to play"

i think Papaloukas has a very valid point. i also think that he shouldnt move as i find the NBA style of basketball is all show boating, slam dunks and utter shit, European players have real skill. And i dont see the point of Greek national players going to the USA when they beat them. The Greek team kept the USA outside of the key and they beat them their whole game structure was/is nothing when they are kept outside the key.
I think that he isnt going to be used to his potential as we have seen with Spanoulis.

Apart from the fact that he's twice the player of Spanoulis. NBA gives you more recognition and (as is the most important thing in sport these days) MONEY

true niko. i guess its a personal choice of weighing up the pros and cons

I would take half the money and know that I'll be winning Greek and Euroleague championships. Basketball in Europe has a massive following, and with a population over 600 million, he will be getting more exposure in Europe than he will be getting in the US.

It's not about population, it's about attention. Shitloads more people watch NBA and follow it far more closely then Greece or the Euroleague and there's far more money in selling and promoting it. Euroleague is nowhere near NBA in terms of money, glamour and attention

And that attention is getting bigger, the biggest growth in basketball in not in the USA, but Europe.

Say's who?

The Lakers have offered him a multi-year contract. He's the best point guard in europe and he's 30 yrs old, in his prime for a basketballer. His body is built, he's 6'7 so he could realistically play in other positions...

The lakers need a point guard desperately now that Smush Parker has left. They might make a bid for Steve Francis, although I'd prefer a player like Papaloukas over Francis, because i'd imagine team harmony would turn to shit if Francis and Kobe were in the same locker room.

A lot of redneck fans don't like the idea of a non-american playing with the lakers, although there have been some huge names from europe that have slotted in perfectly into the nba.... Dirk Nowitzki, Pao Gasol, Vlade Divac (retired, but had to add him because he's a legend), Zydrunas Iglauskas, Pedrag Stojakovic, Tony Parker, Boris Diaw etc etc

The most high paid European player will be continuing his career in the CSKA Moscow untill June 2010! Theodoros Papaloukas became officially the most expensive player (European) with the new contract of 3 million euros (net) per year for the next three years who will be wearing the Russian jersey of CSKA. At the same time, the Russians prove to be for another seazon (the fifth one) the biggest budget team in Europe as Papaloukas will be surrounded by Nikos Zisis and Ramunas Siskauskas (all together cost about 7 million Euros per year). CSKA is actaully having the best team in guards with Zisis and Papaloukas together (possibly) with J.R. Holden and Pashutin. Papaloukas had offers from NBA (Lakers, Timberwolves and Miami Hits) and also from Panathinaikos and Olympiakos but he kept his promise to the Russian management as he told them that if not NBA i will be staying in Moscow!!