PAOK is targeting former Philadelphia 76ers forward Trendon Watford as the final addition to its roster for the upcoming Greek Basketball League and EuroCup season. Italian head coach Andrea Trinchieri has arrived in Thessaloniki to begin the final phase of team preparations starting August 12, 2026.
The Greek club has upgraded its squad with high profile additions to build a competitive team for domestic and European competitions. Players Bryn Tyree and Ben Moore have already arrived in Thessaloniki.
New signings RaiQuan Gray, Naz Mitrou-Long, Kyle Alexander, Trevor Hudgins, and Marcus Foster will follow shortly. Cedi Osman and Nick Calathes will join PAOK in September after finishing their national team commitments.
PAOK Roster Additions and NBA Target
Watford is the focus of PAOK final transfer push after becoming a free agent when the Philadelphia 76ers declined the second year option on his contract. According to monobala.gr, the 25-year-old forward stands 2.03 meters tall and brings 270 games of NBA experience across stints with the Portland Trail Blazers, Brooklyn Nets, and Philadelphia 76ers.
Last season with Philadelphia, Watford averaged 6.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. He recorded a triple-double against the Toronto Raptors, finishing that match with 20 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists.
His strongest NBA season came in the 2024 to 2025 period with the Brooklyn Nets, where he posted averages of 10.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in about 21 minutes per game. After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft, he earned a contract with the Portland Trail Blazers. In 2022, Watford won the NBA Summer League title and received the final MVP award after recording 19 points, seven rebounds, two assists, three steals, and one block against the New York Knicks.
Greek Regional News and Investigations
In Athens, authorities reported that a 57-year-old woman died from a fall in a cave near the chapel of Agios Isidoros on Lycabettus Hill.
Greek police announced the promotion of Konstantia Dimoglidou to Police Captain A.
In Kypseli, a 26-year-old Afghan man faces murder charges in connection with the death of a British woman. The suspect previously lived in Moria, married, and worked for a non-governmental organization.
Greek authorities investigated a fatal traffic accident in Serres that claimed the lives of a mother and her son. An expert stated that driver distraction caused the collision.
In Crete, a business owner reported that a tourist asked for a price to assault a minor girl. Meanwhile, internal conflict hit the Elpida for Democracy political party, where members issued complaints against Gratsia, Galanos, Karystianou, and others.
In Marfin court proceedings, a defense attorney stated that a 46-year-old female defendant was not the person shown in case photographs, noting she was previously examined in 2022. Additionally, a food safety recall was issued for a batch of Bonne Maman strawberry jam.
International News and Accidents
A firefighting helicopter crashed while operating at a major forest fire in Utah.
In an extended interview, Hunter Biden stated that his father has bone metastases. He also discussed his past struggles with addiction, stating he drank four liters of vodka daily and smoked crack every 15 minutes.
Jorge Messi, father and longtime agent of Argentine footballer Lionel Messi, died at age 68. Argentine club Newell Old Boys issued a public farewell honoring his role as mentor.
Historical archives revealed telegrams sent by foreign correspondents from Asia Minor in 1921.
A drunk driver struck and killed a bride just hours after her wedding ceremony. At the police station, the driver tearfully asked to speak to her father.
Chef Maria Ekmektsioglou spoke in an interview about experiencing daily miracles, putting God first, followed by her sons.
In London, police faced criticism after arresting and releasing a 40-year-old visually impaired man known as the London Dragon, who subsequently killed and raped women. In international defense news, the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff sought disengagement options regarding Iran due to fears of escalation and ammunition shortages.
Diplomatic tensions escalated as Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez imposed border checks on flights and ships arriving from Italy, following a dispute with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni over Ceuta. In wildlife research, an investigator defended decisions after a white puppy died, asking whether risking a wolf family to save one dog was justified. In Attica and Boeotia, fire service crews evacuated more than 250 people by sea during a major wildfire.
Global Sports and Entertainment Roundup
Tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas was seen embracing his partner during a dinner outing in Switzerland. Meanwhile, the wife of basketball player Cedi Osman attracted attention during their vacation in Turkey.
Greek tennis player Maria Sakkari was eliminated from the Toronto tournament following a 2-0 defeat against Coco Gauff. In football, Greek forward Koutsias scored the opening goal of the new Primeira Liga season.
The Telegraph reported that FIFA President Gianni Infantino paid a six-figure compensation settlement to a former UEFA employee over an alleged relationship. In Ukraine, a Russian strike damaged a sports stadium in Odesa one day before a scheduled league match.
Authorities disclosed the official cause of death for 29-year-old former NBA player Brandon Clarke. Former NBA center Enes Kanter declared that he meets inclusion criteria and announced his intention to play in the WNBA.
England forward Ivan Toney was accused of involvement in a serious disturbance at a club in Soho. In transfer news, Arsenal announced the signing of Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, where he joins team member Christos Tzolis.
Turkish media reported that Galatasaray offered Mohamed Salah an annual contract worth 30 million euros, covering expenses for hairdressers and toilet paper. In domestic football, OFI Crete highlighted a fan who purchased a season ticket for his two-month-old son.
Greek rowers Giorgos Chiotis and Apostolos Stavros Alexiou secured silver medals at the World Junior Rowing Championship in Bulgaria. In European football, officials clarified that a goal scored by Mythos for PAOK against Anderlecht was disallowed under new rules following a missed penalty by Michailidis.
Olympiacos submitted a strong bid for midfielder Ellyes Skhiri, though Sevilla maintains the advantage in negotiations. Separately, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis shared memories about his first personal vehicle.
Corporate and institutional developments included the University of Derby Greece launching a new British higher education framework. The National Bank of Greece highlighted major project financing, while Olympic Brewery partnered with Mythos 0.0 percent and the Panos Mylonas Road Safety Institute for responsible drinking campaigns at concerts.
