Following yesterday’s announcements, Monday is the day of the press conference for Zeljko Obradović at Panathinaikos. The Serbian coach will speak to the media for the first time since his return to the Panathinaikos bench.

The event, attended by Dimitris Giannakopoulos, will take place at the Telekom Center’s members club, and a huge turnout is expected, as the team’s fans will turn out in droves to welcome him back to the “clover” after 14 years.

“Zoc” will speak about his decision to say “yes,” as well as his plans for the future at Panathinaikos. A day that… has already begun, as he is already in constant contact with management to move forward on pending matters.

First, there may be definitive developments regarding the coaching staff’s composition as early as today. News from Serbia indicates that his two key assistants at Partizan— the Spaniard Josep María Itzkierdo and the Serb Vladimir Androić, will follow him to Panathinaikos. At least two more people will join them, and it is possible that one or two members of Ergin Ataman’s Greek coaching staff will remain.

Mike Batiste, who is an assistant coach with the Raptors, may well join the coaching staff; a potential call from Obradović would certainly not leave him indifferent. The names of Vasilis Xanthopoulos and Diamantis Panagiotopoulos have even been mentioned, though there has been no confirmation. Dimitris Diamantidis’s return to Panathinaikos is also… very much on the table, though not on the coaching staff, but in a broader role within the club.

Beyond that, the transfer market will also be in full swing. Panathinaikos is expected to make 4–5 additions, definitely acquiring two guards and two centers, as well as a forward. Due to limited options on the market, it’s entirely possible that the “Greens” will have to buy out contracts by paying significant sums to acquire the players recommended by “Zoc”, while a shift toward the U.S. market is also very likely—for European players competing there, but not exclusively. Players like Isaac Bonga and Bogdan Bogdanović are certainly of interest, however, both have the NBA as their priority, and their situations may be delayed until at least early July.

*photo source: KYPE