Valanciunas leaves the NBA and signs for Zalgiris

jonas Valanciunas has made his return to European basketball official after signing a two-year contract with the Zalgiris Kaunas of the Euroleague. The Lithuanian center joins his native country’s team after being released by the Denver Nuggetsending a career of 14 seasons in the NBA. His relationship with Zalgiris extends until the end of the 2027-28 season.

According to BasketNews, Valanciunas He will receive approximately 5 million euros (around 5.5 million dollars) during the two years of his contract. This incorporation completes the staff of the Zalgiris for the next 2026-27 season. In the 2025-26 campaign, the Zalgiris finished fifth in the regular phase of the EuroLeague, being eliminated in the playoffs by the Fenerbahce.

In his last season with the Nuggets, Valanciunas He played 65 games, averaging 8.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists, with 58.2% shooting from the field and 30.8% from three-point range. Financially, his new deal contrasts with the $10,395,000 he earned last season with Denverpart of a 3-year, $30,295,000 contract signed in 2024. His total NBA earnings are estimated at $156,151,944.

He Zalgiris Kaunas secured the signing of Valanciunas after establishing a deadline until June 22 for the player to make a decision, receiving a positive response. The Nuggets They released him on July 8, despite the fact that Valanciunas He still had one year on his contract for $10 million, of which he will receive $2 million. Throughout his career in NBAthe former number 5 in the draft played 1,002 games, with averages of 12.8 points and 9.0 rebounds, and was part of the All-Rookie Second Team in his debut season 2012-13.