Panathinaikos’ roster is looking for its final backcourt piece. SKWEEK opens the NBA files and scans the options, at a time when the European talent pool seems to have dried up.
Panathinaikos has undeniably built one of the deepest, most athletic, and high-quality rosters in its modern European history. Yet, even in such a well-oiled machine, there is one final puzzle piece looking for its place in the transfer planning: the addition of a pure point guard capable of bringing balance to the backcourt.
Over the past few days, the news that ASVEL is walking a tightrope due to severe financial issues was enough to set the European market on fire. Rumors surrounding Sylvain Francisco’s future flared up, as the prospect of such a high-level two-way guard hitting free agency mobilized radars across the continent, during a period when quality playmakers are scarce. However, the “saga” quickly came to an end, with the French guard remaining a resident of Lyon and the case closing for good.
With the EuroLeague market no longer offering realistic top-tier solutions, the attention of the “Greens” management inevitably turns across the Atlantic. That is where the scouting department is looking for players with specific characteristics, ready to join Zeljko Obradovic’s squad. SKWEEK puts three cases with the necessary “fit” under the microscope.
Keaton Wallace: The athletic “Swiss army knife”
The 27-year-old, 1.91m guard brings a package of traits that seems tailor-made to complement the green backcourt. He possesses size, impressive athleticism, on-ball defensive toughness, and—most importantly—the ability to be impactful without demanding a high usage rate. While he might not be considered an elite, primary creator, he controls the tempo safely, has a reliable shot, and can elevate the defensive intensity, functioning perfectly alongside players like Kendrick Nunn, Kostas Sloukas, Brancou Badio and Jerian Grant.
Over the last two years, Wallace split his time between the Atlanta Hawks and their G-League affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks. At the top NBA level last season, he averaged 3.5 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 53 appearances coming off the bench. The trademark of his potential remains the mythical triple-double (15 points, 11 rebounds, 15 assists) he recorded against the Orlando Magic on April 13, 2025. Regarding his market value, his contract last season was around $2.2 million.
Aaron Holiday: The “silent” guarantee
In stark contrast to flashy highlights, 29-year-old Aaron Holiday is the definition of a player coaches love, even if he doesn’t make noise in the media. With a solid eight-year NBA tenure under his belt and stints with Indiana, Washington, Phoenix, Atlanta, and Houston, he brings immense know-how. Wearing the Rockets jersey during the 2025-26 season, he contributed 5.5 points, 1.1 assists, and 1 rebound per night.
Holiday’s true surplus value, however, is reflected in his defense and his excellent spot-up shooting ability, executing with an impressive 38.4% from behind the three-point line. He is a guard who applies suffocating ball pressure and reads spacing perfectly, providing room for a primary ball-handler. He is not the player who will carry the entire offense on his shoulders, but rather the absolute constant that balances a star-studded roster. His contract last year reached $4 million, setting the bar for his current market demands.
Cameron Payne: The “+1” with a heavy resume
In a completely different, more premium category, we find the case of 31-year-old Cameron Payne. Here we are talking about a floor general with an abundance of confidence, explosive speed, and a “heavy” resume. A first-round pick in the 2015 Draft (No. 14 by Oklahoma), he has recorded nearly 500 NBA appearances with top-tier organizations including the Thunder, Bulls, Cavaliers, Suns, Bucks, Sixers, and Knicks. His total career earnings, approaching $36.8 million, testify to his status, with his last contract sitting at $3 million.
Perhaps the most crucial element for European scouting is that Payne is no stranger to Old Continent basketball. Midway through last season, he crossed the Atlantic on behalf of Partizan, immediately leaving his mark. In his 10 EuroLeague appearances, all as a starter, he averaged 12.4 points, 3.9 assists, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.2 steals, proving that his talent can make a difference in Europe before returning to the magic world of the NBA.
