Georgios Printezis, a 6-foot-9 forward for Olympiacos, hit the game-winning shot to defeat CSKA Moscow in the Euroleague Final last week.
The Knicks acquired Printezis’ draft rights from the Mavericks as part of the sign-and-trade for Tyson Chandler.
“He’s playing the best ball of his life,’’ said an NBA executive who saw Printezis play during the Euroleague playoffs. “The NBA has always been on his mind, but he would need a long-term commitment. He wouldn’t just come for one year.’’
The Knicks have interest in bringing Printezis to New York, but are limited financially because they do not want to use a portion of their $5M mid-level exception.
“I think he could do well in the NBA as a backup 4 man,’’ another NBA scout said. “He used to attack the rim a lot more than he does right now. Now he plays more on the perimeter. He’s a tough player who will give his team a lot of intangibles. Loose balls, rebounds, steals, good defensive position.”
Olympiacos Piraeus won the Euroleague championship on Sunday, as MVP Vassilis Spanoulis scored 15 points and assisted on the game-winning basket in a 62-61 victory over CSKA Moscow.
Olympiacos rallied from a 19-point deficit, capped by a jumper from Georgios Printezis to seal the win.
Spanoulis was named MVP for the second time in four seasons.
Andrei Kirklenko and Nenad Krstic of CSKA headline the 2011-12 All-Euroleague First Team. Joining them are Dimitris Diamantidis of Panathinaikos, Erazem Lorbek of Barcelona and Vassilis Spanoulis of Olympiacos.
On the All-Euroleague Second Team are Mike Batiste of Panathinaikos, Henry Domercant of UNICS Kazan, Bo McCalebb of Siena, Juan Carlos Navarro of Barcelona and CSKA's Milos Teodosic.
The 2013 Euroleague Final Four will be held in London at The O2 arena.
The agreement includes a mutual option to play the 2014 edition at The O2 as well.
This will be the first time that a European basketball title game will take place in the United Kingdom.
"Six years ago we signed a strategic agreement with AEG, which has already borne wonderful fruits," said Euroleague President Jordi Bertomeu. "In these six years we have worked together, with AEG as both consultants to our teams to maximize their arena resources and as hosts for our Final Fours. After our very successful Final Fours in Berlin and Paris, in which AEG has displayed great efficiency and professionalism in developing such a major event like the Final Four, we arrive at the opportunity to host it at London’s magnificent The O2, one of the most modern and spectacular arenas in the world. I am confident that the Final Four, which is already an unforgettable experience for Turkish Airlines Euroleague fans, will take another step forward in London."
Andrei Kirilenko initially wrestled with whether to sign with CSKA Moscow.
“I had a lot of doubts but a number of factors came into the picture, most of all the fantastic team chemistry at CSKA and my desire to mold with the core of the Russian national team vying for an Olympic berth,” Kirilenko said. “In the end I decided to stay because the exertions in the Euroleague, where you are allowed to have a dip in form, are less demanding than those in the NBA where you sometimes play five games a week and have no time to recuperate.”
Kirilenko helped CSKA into the Euroleague Final Four round, which begins Friday.
”I am very excited to be back and after winning the 2007 European Championship with Russia, I now want to win Europe’s premier club competition too and especially so because this is something of an uncharted territory for me,” Kirilenko said.
Kirilenko will decide his future at the end of the season.
“I have a huge history with the Utah Jazz and they are a priority for me among the 30 teams competing in the NBA, while CSKA are just as close to my heart in Europe and when the Final Four is over I will weigh my options and make a decision,” Kirilenko said.