Veteran center Jonas Valanciunas is considering a significant career move after receiving a three-year contract offer worth 12 million Euros from Panathinaikos, a leading Greek basketball club. This development comes as Valanciunas, currently under contract with the NBA, weighs the possibility of leaving the league to join the EuroLeague, raising questions about his future in the United States.
Valanciunas has two seasons remaining on his NBA contract, with a guaranteed $10.4 million salary for 2025/26 and a non-guaranteed $10 million deal for 2026/27, complicating any immediate transfer to Europe without a buyout. The Denver Nuggets, who recently agreed to acquire him from the Sacramento Kings in a trade involving Dario Saric, are actively trying to persuade Valanciunas to stay within the NBA.
Details of Trade and Valanciunas’s Uncertain Status
The trade sending Valanciunas to Denver is scheduled to be finalized after the NBA’s July moratorium ends, but his potential move to Panathinaikos has introduced uncertainty. Negotiations remain fluid between Valanciunas and the Nuggets as they seek a resolution that could involve a buyout if the player opts for Europe.
NBA insiders, including Marc Stein, note that a return to European basketball strongly appeals to Valanciunas, who has been part of the NBA since 2012. The Nuggets’ interest in retaining him reflects his value as a dependable backup to star center Nikola Jokic, meaning his departure could impact Denver’s roster strategy and prompt additional moves in free agency or the trade market.
Comparisons and Implications of a European Return
Valanciunas’s situation echoes that of former EuroLeague MVP Sasha Vezenkov, who last offseason was traded from Sacramento to Toronto and eventually reached a buyout agreement to join Olympiacos in Greece. If Valanciunas follows a similar path, Denver might gain some salary cap relief but would lose a critical player depth piece.
During his NBA career, Valanciunas has been a consistent performer. After being selected fifth overall in the 2011 draft, he has nearly averaged a double-double over 937 regular-season games, including 13.1 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. Last season, across 81 games with Washington and Sacramento, he contributed 10.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per contest while playing under 19 minutes on average.
Potential Impact and What’s Next for Valanciunas
The decision Jonas Valanciunas makes will carry significant implications for both the NBA and EuroLeague. Choosing Panathinaikos would mark a notable return to European basketball for the Lithuanian center and strengthen one of Greece’s top teams. For the Nuggets, losing Valanciunas could create a hole in their frontcourt rotation, requiring replacements through the offseason.
As talks continue, both the player and involved teams must navigate contract complexities and strategic considerations. The coming weeks will reveal whether Valanciunas remains in the NBA or embraces a new chapter overseas with Panathinaikos.