The stage is set. The European glory is packed away. Now, only one mountain remains for Olympiacos to climb: the Greek Basketball League finals against their eternal rivals, Panathinaikos. The air in Piraeus is thick with tension, and head coach Giannis Bartzokas is already making moves. The preparation begins Monday, June 1, but the real drama is happening in the roster room. Bartzokas holds the power to make two crucial changes to his foreign players before the series kicks off, and he is not wasting a second.

The Foreign Roster Roulette

Currently, the declared eight foreigners include Evan Fournier, Taurek Jones, Donta Hall, Alec Peters, Monte Morris, Frank Ntilikina, Tyson Ward, and Nikola Mirotic. But wait—there’s more. The wider group features Shakim McCacci, Mustafa Fally, Cory Joseph, and Kenan Evans, though Evans is sidelined with injury. The question isn’t who is available; it’s who gets the final nod. Two spots will be swapped, and the names floating to the top are Cory Joseph and Shakim McCacci.

Joseph is the dark horse to replace Frank Ntilikina. Why? Because in the crunch time, he delivered on the perimeter, offering a secondary creation engine that could be the difference maker. Then there’s McCacci, the rhythm changer. Against Panathinaikos, energy is currency, and McCacci’s first step and derby experience make him a formidable weapon. He is poised to potentially take Monte Morris’s spot. Remember the rules: only six foreigners can play per game. So even after the swap, two men will sit on the bench, waiting for their moment.

Health Check and Final Lineup

On the health front, Tyson Ward looks clean after the AEK clash, ready to rumble. Tyler Dorsey, battling knee tendinitis, will be assessed in training, but the odds favor his availability. The core seems set: Fournier, Mirotic, Peters, and Ward are locked in. Either Jones or Hall will cover the big man rotation, while Joseph could add that extra spark. Bartzokas knows exactly what this team needs. These roster tweaks aren’t just administrative; they are a declaration of intent. How will Olympiacos strike? The answer lies in these final choices. The finals are coming, and Piraeus is ready to fight.