Jonas Valančiūnas is officially leaving the NBA. The 34-year-old Lithuanian center has committed to a two-year pact with Zalgiris Kaunas, ending a 14-season career in the United States to return to the EuroLeague club where his professional journey originally began . This move represents one of the most significant homecomings in European basketball history, as the all-time top Lithuanian scorer in NBA history rejoins his country’s most prestigious team .
Contract Breakdown and Financial Terms
Zalgiris Kaunas made the official announcement on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, confirming that Valančiūnas will play for the team through the 2027-28 season . While the club did not publicly disclose the financial details, reliable reporting from BasketNews indicates the agreement is worth approximately €5 million (roughly $5.5 million) over the two-year period .
Key details of the agreement include:
- Duration: Two full seasons, covering the 2026-27 and 2027-28 campaigns
- Estimated Value: ~€5 million ($5.5 million) total compensation
- Official Status: Zalgiris has completed its roster for the upcoming EuroLeague season with this signing
- NBA Exit: The deal is contingent on his release from the Denver Nuggets, which was finalized last week
The signing completes Zalgiris’s roster construction for the 2026-27 season, with the club stating no further additions are expected . By bringing in a player with over 1,000 NBA games, Zalgiris secures a veteran presence who will likely operate as the primary option at the center position .
Why He Left Denver
Valančiūnas’s return to Europe was triggered by his release from the Denver Nuggets just last week. The Nuggets waived him to avoid guaranteeing $8 million of the $10 million remaining on his contract, a move that saved the team significant financial obligations heading into the 2026-27 season .
During his single season in Denver, the 34-year-old appeared in 65 games, posting averages of 8.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game . These numbers reflected a reduced role as a backup center behind Nikola Jokic, where he played an average of 13.4 minutes per night . Despite the dip in production, Valančiūnas reportedly received interest from multiple NBA teams but chose to return to Lithuania instead .
Rather than pursuing another short-term NBA stint, Valančiūnas opted for a two-year commitment in Kaunas, signaling a desire to settle into this new chapter of his career rather than treating it as a temporary stopover .
14 Seasons of NBA Excellence
Valančiūnas departs the NBA with a resume spanning 14 seasons and 1,002 career games, a testament to his durability and consistent value across multiple franchises . His career journey included six different teams:
- Toronto Raptors (where he began his NBA career)
- New Orleans Pelicans
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Washington Wizards
- Sacramento Kings
- Denver Nuggets (his final NBA team)
Across all these teams, he compiled career averages of 12.8 points and 9.0 rebounds per game . His shooting efficiency was also notable, with a 56% field goal percentage and 79% from the free-throw line . also, he earned second-team All-Rookie honors in 2013 and started 854 of his 1,002 games .
Valančiūnas built a reputation as a reliable interior presence, known for his rebounding and scoring consistency over the long haul . This track record makes his arrival in Kaunas a major event for both Lithuanian domestic basketball and the broader EuroLeague competition .
What to Expect in Kaunas
Now returning to Europe for the first time since 2011, Valančiūnas will bring over a decade of top-level NBA experience to a Zalgiris roster that also features several players with NBA ties, including Carsen Edwards, Saben Lee, Nigel Williams-Goss, and Sterling Brown .
For Zalgiris Kaunas, this is more than just a basketball transaction; it is a homecoming story welcoming back the greatest Lithuanian scorer in NBA history to the club where his career first took shape . As the 2026-27 season approaches, fans will be eager to see how his NBA-honed skills translate back to the European game he left 14 years ago .