Jonas Valanciunas is officially returning to Lithuanian basketball. The 34-year-old center has signed a two-year contract with Zalgiris Kaunas, effectively ending his 14-season tenure in the NBA and marking a historic homecoming to the club where his professional journey began . The announcement, confirmed by the team on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, solidifies Valanciunas as the all-time leading NBA scorer among Lithuanian players returning to compete in the EuroLeague .
Contract Breakdown and Financials
While the official press release from Zalgiris did not disclose specific financial figures, multiple reputable sources have reported the expected compensation. Valanciunas is projected to earn approximately €5 million, or roughly $5.5 million, over the two-year agreement . This deal runs through the conclusion of the 2027-28 season, providing a clear runway for the veteran to lead the team in both domestic and European competitions .
The financial structure of European basketball differs significantly from the NBA. A minimum-salary two-year deal in the NBA would have netted Valanciunas close to $8 million, but that figure is pre-tax. In contrast, European salaries are typically reported as post-tax totals, meaning the $5.5 million figure represents his actual take-home earnings .
Below is a comparison of his recent NBA performance versus his career averages, highlighting the shift in his role before leaving the league:
| Metric | 2025-26 Season (Denver) | Full NBA Career |
|---|---|---|
| Games Played | 65 | 1,002 |
| Points Per Game | 8.7 | 12.8 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 5.1 | 9.0 |
| Role | Backup to Nikola Jokic | Primary/Starting Center |
Journey From Denver to Kaunas
The decision to return to Europe follows Valanciunas’s release by the Denver Nuggets just last week. The Nuggets waived him to save approximately $8 million in preparation for the upcoming 2026-27 season . During his brief stint in Denver, Valanciunas served primarily as a backup center behind superstar Nikola Jokic, averaging 13.4 minutes per game .
Rather than exploring other NBA options or accepting a similar backup role elsewhere, Valanciunas chose to settle in his home country. This move reunites him with Zalgiris Kaunas, a club deeply embedded in Lithuania’s basketball identity. It is notable that Valanciunas began his international career with Lietuvos Rytas, Zalgiris’s biggest rival, before joining the NBA in 2011 . Now, he will suit up for Kaunas, bringing over a decade of top-level American experience to a roster that already features several players with NBA ties, including Carsen Edwards and Saben Lee .
Legacy After 14 NBA Seasons
Valanciunas departs the NBA with a resume spanning six different franchises and 1,002 career games. His durability and consistency made him a reliable interior presence for teams across the league . His career path included stops with the following teams:
- Toronto Raptors (2011–2015)
- New Orleans Pelicans (2015–2019)
- Memphis Grizzlies (2019–2021)
- Washington Wizards (2021–2022)
- Sacramento Kings (2022–2023)
- Denver Nuggets (2025–2026)
Selected as the fifth overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, Valanciunas earned second-team All-Rookie honors in 2013 and maintained a career average of 12.8 points and 9.0 rebounds per game . His longevity underscores the skill set that made him a staple in the league for so long, and his return is viewed as a major boost for Zalgiris’s upcoming EuroLeague and domestic campaigns .
Next Steps for the Veteran
With the contract finalized, Valanciunas will immediately transition to preparing for the 2026-27 season in Europe. Zalgiris has completed its roster additions for the upcoming season with his signing, signaling his importance to the team’s immediate plans . As the season approaches, fans and analysts will be watching to see how his NBA-honed skills adapt to the European game, a format he has not played in since 2011 .
This move represents more than just a transaction; it is a homecoming for the top Lithuanian scorer in NBA history. By joining Zalgiris, Valanciunas returns to the stage where his career first took shape, bringing veteran leadership to a team aiming to compete at the highest level of European basketball .
