Reigning EuroLeague champion Olympiacos has targeted Dallas Mavericks guard John Poulakidas for a transfer, but the player's immediate priority is to remain in the NBA. This interest comes as the Mavericks look to build on their recent form, having won their last two games after a three-game skid, including a 149-128 victory over the Chicago Bulls on April 13, 2026.
What is Olympiacos's interest in John Poulakidas?
Eurohoops reported that Olympiacos has made Poulakidas a transfer target, with Greek rival Panathinaikos AKTOR also potentially involved. In July, three key club officials-head coach Georgios Bartzokas, general manager Nikos Lepeniotis, and sports director Christos Bafes-traveled to Las Vegas to watch him at the NBA Summer League and held a meeting. Bartzokas is a two-time EuroLeague champion with the club, winning in 2013 and again this year.
A major factor is Poulakidas's Greek heritage. All four of his grandparents are Greek, and he is actively pursuing a Greek passport. Obtaining it would classify him as a domestic player for a Greek club and make him eligible for the Greek senior national team, a goal he has stated.
What did John Poulakidas say about his future?
Poulakidas was clear about his plans in a July 16 interview in Las Vegas. "My focus has been here, on the present moment," he said, emphasizing his desire to stay in the NBA for at least one more season before considering a move to Europe. He explained the passport process is dependent on his parents completing their own paperwork first.
"We're trying to speed up the process, obviously," Poulakidas continued. "I would love to play for the Greek national team as soon as possible." He spoke just hours after a strong Summer League performance, scoring 19 points on 6-of-14 shooting with 3 rebounds and 3 assists in a 97-87 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Three days later he closed the tournament with 18 points against the New York Knicks.
How has John Poulakidas performed for the Dallas Mavericks?
The Dallas Mavericks signed Poulakidas to a two-year contract on March 1, 2026, after he spent the first part of the season with the San Diego Clippers' G League affiliate. In 24 G League games, he made 14 starts and shot 47.3% from three-point range on 96-of-203 attempts, the seventh-best mark among qualified players in the league.
He made his Mavericks debut on March 3 at the Charlotte Hornets but did not score. His first NBA points came 12 days later against the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he scored 10 points with 3 rebounds and a steal in 15 minutes of a win at Rocket Arena. He got the game ball after that performance.
"Seeing that first three go down felt great," Poulakidas explained. "I take pride in being an efficient shooter." By the end of the season, he had played 13 games, averaging 8.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in 19.5 minutes and shot 42.9% from the field. From 3-point range, he went 31-of-77, or 40.3%.
What is the current roster context for the Dallas Mavericks?
Poulakidas is in the second season of his two-year deal. Tobi Lawal and Jett Howard hold the team's other two-way contract spots. Lawal was selected 48th overall in the June draft. The Mavericks currently have 16 players on standard contracts. Teams can bring 21 to training camp but must trim the roster to 18 by opening night, with no more than 15 on standard deals.
The team's recent results show a 2W-0D-3L record in their last five outings, but they are currently on a two-game winning run. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming schedule on our [fixtures](/fixtures) page. Poulakidas's development and the potential overseas interest add an intriguing layer to the Mavericks' preseason roster decisions.
