Jonas Valanciunas is officially ending his American basketball chapter to return to Europe. The 34-year-old Lithuanian center has locked in a **two-year contract** with **Zalgiris Kaunas**, the historic club where he began his professional journey before the NBA draft . This agreement, confirmed on **Wednesday, July 15, 2026**, will keep him in the EuroLeague and domestic competition through the **2027-28 season** .
The signing represents a significant roster upgrade for Zalgiris, reuniting the franchise with the **all-time NBA Lithuanian top scorer** . While the official announcement did not release specific financial figures, reports from BasketNews indicate Valanciunas could earn approximately **$5.5 million** over the two seasons .
Why the Move Happened Now
Valanciunas’s path back to Kaunas opened after the **Denver Nuggets** waived him just last week . His single season in Denver saw him play **65 games** as a backup to Nikola Jokic, averaging **8.7 points** and **5.1 rebounds** . Although those numbers were solid, they reflected a diminished role compared to his prime years, prompting the team to save roughly **$8 million** by releasing him .
Despite reportedly entertaining interest from other NBA teams, Valanciunas chose to prioritize a return to his homeland . The decision signals a desire for stability rather than a short-term stopover, as he joins a Zalgiris roster featuring several other players with NBA experience, including **Carsen Edwards** and **Saben Lee** .
Resume of a 14-Year Veteran
Leaving the NBA after **14 seasons**, Valanciunas brings a career defined by durability and consistent production. Over **1,002 regular-season games**, he posted career averages of **12.8 points** and **9.0 rebounds** per game . His journey included stints with six different franchises:
Toronto Raptors (drafted 5th overall in 2011)
New Orleans Pelicans
Memphis Grizzlies
Washington Wizards
Sacramento Kings
Denver Nuggets
Before his NBA debut, he played internationally for **Perlas Vilnius** and **Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius**, establishing himself as a top-tier prospect in Europe . His longevity and rebounding ability earned him **second-team All-Rookie honors** in 2013, marking him as a reliable interior presence for over a decade .
Impact on EuroLeague Competition
Zalgiris Kaunas president **Paulius Jankunas** expressed immense satisfaction with the signing, highlighting the emotional weight of Valanciunas returning to the country where his career started . The veteran is expected to serve as the **primary center option** for the club, leveraging his NBA-honed skills to dominate the European game .
As the **2026-27 season** approaches, basketball fans will watch closely to see how Valanciunas adapts to the EuroLeague style. His return marks one of the most notable homecomings in European basketball this year, bringing a decade of high-level NBA experience to a roster that aims to compete at the highest continental level .
34-Year-Old Valanciunas Leaves NBA for EuroLeague Homecoming in Kaunas
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Major Career Shift Confirmed
Jonas Valanciunas is officially ending his American basketball chapter to return to Europe. The 34-year-old Lithuanian center has locked in a **two-year contract** with **Zalgiris Kaunas**, the historic club where he began his professional journey before the NBA draft . This agreement, confirmed on **Wednesday, July 15, 2026**, will keep him in the EuroLeague and domestic competition through the **2027-28 season** .
The signing represents a significant roster upgrade for Zalgiris, reuniting the franchise with the **all-time NBA Lithuanian top scorer** . While the official announcement did not release specific financial figures, reports from BasketNews indicate Valanciunas could earn approximately **$5.5 million** over the two seasons .
Why the Move Happened Now
Valanciunas’s path back to Kaunas opened after the **Denver Nuggets** waived him just last week . His single season in Denver saw him play **65 games** as a backup to Nikola Jokic, averaging **8.7 points** and **5.1 rebounds** . Although those numbers were solid, they reflected a diminished role compared to his prime years, prompting the team to save roughly **$8 million** by releasing him .
Despite reportedly entertaining interest from other NBA teams, Valanciunas chose to prioritize a return to his homeland . The decision signals a desire for stability rather than a short-term stopover, as he joins a Zalgiris roster featuring several other players with NBA experience, including **Carsen Edwards** and **Saben Lee** .
Resume of a 14-Year Veteran
Leaving the NBA after **14 seasons**, Valanciunas brings a career defined by durability and consistent production. Over **1,002 regular-season games**, he posted career averages of **12.8 points** and **9.0 rebounds** per game . His journey included stints with six different franchises:
Before his NBA debut, he played internationally for **Perlas Vilnius** and **Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius**, establishing himself as a top-tier prospect in Europe . His longevity and rebounding ability earned him **second-team All-Rookie honors** in 2013, marking him as a reliable interior presence for over a decade .
Impact on EuroLeague Competition
Zalgiris Kaunas president **Paulius Jankunas** expressed immense satisfaction with the signing, highlighting the emotional weight of Valanciunas returning to the country where his career started . The veteran is expected to serve as the **primary center option** for the club, leveraging his NBA-honed skills to dominate the European game .
As the **2026-27 season** approaches, basketball fans will watch closely to see how Valanciunas adapts to the EuroLeague style. His return marks one of the most notable homecomings in European basketball this year, bringing a decade of high-level NBA experience to a roster that aims to compete at the highest continental level .
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