After more than a decade in the NBA, Jonas Valanciunas is returning to Lithuania, with Krepsinis.net reporting that the veteran center has signed a two-year contract with Zalgiris Kaunas.
The move comes one year after Valanciunas’ highly publicized transfer saga involving Panathinaikos, which ultimately fell through despite the Lithuanian big man traveling to Athens.
Now, with his release from the Denver Nuggets officially completed, he was free to finalize his agreement with Zalgiris.
The signing marks the end of Valanciunas’ long NBA career, during which he established himself as one of Europe’s most reliable centers.
Valanciunas began his professional career with Lietuvos Rytas before making the jump to the NBA in 2012.
Over the next 14 seasons, he suited up for the Toronto Raptors, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, Washington Wizards, Sacramento Kings, and most recently the Denver Nuggets.
He finished last season with Denver, helping the team reach the playoffs before the Nuggets were eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the opening round.
BREAKING: Jonas Valanciunas finally returns to Europe for Zalgiris Kaunashttps://t.co/kgyDUpWNqN
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) July 13, 2026
