Jonas Valanciunas has officially ended his 14-year NBA career to return to his homeland, signing a two-year contract with EuroLeague powerhouse Zalgiris Kaunas. The 34-year-old Lithuanian center confirmed the move on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, joining the club where his professional journey began before entering the league in 2011 . This decision comes shortly after the Denver Nuggets waived him, opening the door for his historic return to European basketball .
Contract and Financial Breakdown
While the official announcement did not disclose specific financial figures, multiple credible reports have clarified the deal’s value. According to BasketNews reporter Donatas Urbonas, Valanciunas is expected to earn approximately €5 million (roughly $5.5 million) over the two-year term . This figure represents a significant post-tax total, which is the standard reporting method for European salaries .
The following table compares his potential NBA earnings against his new European contract:
| League | Duration | Estimated Value | Tax Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| NBA (Minimum) | 2 Years | ~$8 million | Pre-tax |
| Zalgiris (EuroLeague) | 2 Years | ~€5M / $5.5M | Post-tax |
Although a minimum-salary NBA deal would have been higher in nominal pre-tax terms, the guaranteed post-tax income in Lithuania makes the Zalgiris offer financially compelling for the veteran . The contract runs through the end of the 2027-28 season, providing a clear runway for his next chapter .
Immediate NBA Context and Path Home
Valanciunas’s departure from the NBA follows his release by the Denver Nuggets just one week prior to the announcement . His stint in Denver lasted only a single season, where he served primarily as a backup to Nikola Jokic . During that 2025-26 campaign, he appeared in 65 games, averaging 8.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game in 13.4 minutes .
Rather than seeking another backup role with a different NBA franchise, Valanciunas opted to return to a top-tier EuroLeague team where he can be the primary interior option . Zalgiris Kaunas has already completed its roster for the upcoming 2026-27 season with this addition, meaning no further players are expected to join the squad . The team’s roster now includes several other players with NBA experience, such as Carsen Edwards, Saben Lee, and Nigel Williams-Goss .
14-Year Career Legacy
Valanciunas enters Zalgiris with a resume that places him among the most durable and productive centers of his generation. His career spans 1,002 regular-season games, including 854 starts, with career averages of 12.8 points and 9.0 rebounds . He was selected as the fifth overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Toronto Raptors and earned Second-Team All-Rookie honors in 2013 .
Throughout his league tenure, he played for six different franchises, traversing the league from the Eastern to the Western Conference:
- Toronto Raptors (Original team)
- Memphis Grizzlies
- New Orleans Pelicans
- Washington Wizards
- Sacramento Kings
- Denver Nuggets (Final team)
He is widely recognized as the all-time top-scoring Lithuanian in NBA history, a distinction highlighted in Zalgiris’s official social media introduction of the player . His longevity and consistent rebounding ability made him a reliable interior presence for over a decade, a trait that Zalgiris president Paulius Jankunas praised in a statement welcoming him home .
What to Expect in Kaunas
This marks Valanciunas’s first time playing for a EuroLeague team since 2011, prior to his NBA debut . At Zalgiris, he will immediately operate as the top option at the center spot, leveraging his NBA-honed skills against European competition . The club views the signing as a major roster boost, combining his veteran presence with the team’s existing talent for the upcoming EuroLeague and domestic campaigns .
As the 2026-27 season approaches, fans will watch closely to see how his style adapts to the European game. With a two-year commitment, Valanciunas has signaled a long-term intention to settle in Kaunas rather than treating this as a temporary stopover . His return is considered one of the most significant homecomings in European basketball this year, reuniting a decorated veteran with the club that launched his career .
