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Dejan Kamenjasevic, the general manager of Dubai Basketball, detailed his club's projects this weekend in a long interview with the Serbian media Mozzart Sport. He confirmed discussions with Thomas Walkup, downplayed the franchise's financial power, and commented on two hot topics in the EuroLeague: the hoped-for arrival of Nikola Jokic in Europe and the NBA Europe project.
Walkup, an acknowledged target of Dubai's recruitment
Kamenjasevic confirmed that Dubai is in talks with the Olympiacos point guard, as part of an acknowledged search for talent at the point guard position.
Thomas Walkup's name tops the list. Kamenjasevic confirmed that Dubai is in talks with the Olympiacos point guard, as part of an acknowledged search for talent at the point guard position. Naturalized Greek and an international with the Hellenic national team, Walkup has established himself as one of the most reliable playmakers on the continent, also known for his defense. A profile that fits the identity desired by Xavi Pascual, whose team is preparing for its 2026-2027 campaign in the EuroLeague and the ABA League. No agreement has been signed, but the trail is official, which contrasts with the usual caution of sports management during the market period.
A budget far from the clichés
The GM also responded to questions about the franchise's finances, often portrayed as having unlimited resources. His answer is direct: Dubai does not even rank among the top five budgets in the EuroLeague. He invites people not to reduce the project to a wallet and insists on building a coherent roster rather than accumulating stars. His phrase, noted during the interview, sums up the mindset: transforming the market from a "bazaar" into a "shopping mall," with its own rules and standards. In other words, structure before spending.
Jokic to Panathinaikos? Dubai applauds
Asked about Panathinaikos' attempt, led by its owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos, to attract Nikola Jokic to Greece, Kamenjasevic was favorable. An arrival of this caliber would, in his view, be good news for the EuroLeague as a whole, and he does not shy away from the idea of seeing the Serb play in Europe one day. For now, the matter remains a summer fantasy, but at least it is taken seriously by an influential executive.
NBA Europe, "a cloud hovering above us"
Regarding the NBA Europe project, however, the tone changes. Kamenjasevic describes the concept as "a cloud that constantly hovers above us" and believes nothing concrete will come of it without a commercial agreement with the EuroLeague. He acknowledges that the topic keeps coming up in European basketball conversations but refers it to a simple condition: a shared commercial framework. A clear position, contrasting with the enthusiasm often associated with this matter.
Meanwhile, Dubai is advancing its summer recruitment and wants to take a step forward in the continent's premier basketball competition. The arrival of a player of Walkup's caliber would be the clearest signal, provided an agreement is reached with Olympiacos. The club, founded in 2023, is moving fast and no longer hides its ambitions. The future will tell whether they translate into signings.