Free agent point guard , who was named to the All-EuroLeague First Team in 2024/25 with Paris Basketball, is finalizing a multiyear contract with Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos, confirms Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews.com.
The Greek reporter Sotiris Vetakis was first to break the news (via Twitter) of Shorts landing with Panathinaikos, adding that the deal will contain an NBA out clause.
Aris Barkas of Eurohoops also hears Shorts is expected to sign with Panathinaikos, but states that the agreement is still tentative because the 27-year-old wants to leave open the possibility of signing with an NBA team. The reportedly have legitimate interest in Shorts, who played under head coach in both Germany and France.
It remains to be seen what type of contract Memphis might be willing to extend to Shorts, but it’s hard to envision it being as lucrative as Panathinaikos’ offer, Barkas observes. Still, a couple of years ago Shorts said it would be a “dream” to play in the NBA one day.
Despite his diminutive stature — he’s listed at 5’9″ and 161 lbs. — Shorts has been highly productive in Europe since he went undrafted out of UC Davis in 2019. In 33 EuroLeague contests this season with Paris (27.1 minutes per game), he averaged 18.7 points, a league-best 7.5 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals, with a shooting slash line of .499/.415/.732. He was recently named back-to-back MVP of France’s top basketball league.
Panathinaikos is also believed to be interested in a reunion with former NBA lottery pick , according to Urbonas. The Greek center, 27, has played seven years with Panathinaikos, last suiting up during the ’22/23 campaign. He has spent the past two seasons with Fenerbahce (Turkey) and AS Monaco, respectively, and is represented by the same agent as Shorts, Barkas notes.
