Jonas Valančiūnas Returns to Europe, Signs Two-Year Deal with Žalgiris Kaunas

Jonas Valančiūnas, the Lithuanian center, has completed a significant move by signing a two-year contract with Žalgiris Kaunas, marking his return to European basketball after 14 years in the NBA. Valančiūnas, 34, was recently released by the Denver Nuggets and had attracted interest from other NBA teams before deciding to join Žalgiris. In the previous NBA season, he averaged 8.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in just under 13 and a half minutes per game.

According to European reports, Valančiūnas will earn $5.5 million over the two years with Žalgiris, a notable decrease from his last NBA season salary of over $10 million, which was the final year of a $30.2 million contract signed in 2024. Valančiūnas began his professional career in Vilnius, Lithuania, playing for Rytas Vilnius' junior team in the 2008/09 season before advancing to the senior team. He was then selected fifth overall in the 2011 NBA Draft, launching his long NBA career.

This signing is considered one of the most impressive moves of the summer in the EuroLeague, as Valančiūnas brings significant experience and skill to Žalgiris Kaunas, enhancing the team's competitiveness in European basketball.