Jonas Valanciunas is officially ending his NBA journey to return to Lithuania. The 34-year-old center has finalized a two-year agreement with Zalgiris Kaunas, the historic club where his professional career began, marking a dramatic shift after 14 seasons in the American league . This move represents one of the most significant basketball homecomings of 2026, bringing the all-time top Lithuanian scorer in NBA history back to the EuroLeague and domestic competition he left over a decade ago .
Contract Breakdown and Key Facts
The official announcement arrived on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, confirming Valanciunas will play for Zalgiris through the 2027-28 season. While the club and the player did not release the exact financial figures publicly, reliable sources have provided a clearer picture of the deal’s value.
- Duration: Two years, covering the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons
- Estimated Earnings: Approximately €5 million (roughly $5.5 million) over the two-year term
- Official Status: Confirmed via Zalgiris Kaunas’s social media, highlighting his record as the top Lithuanian NBA scorer
- Roster Impact: The signing completed Zalgiris’s roster for the upcoming 2026-27 season with no further additions expected
From a financial perspective, the European offer is substantial. While a minimum-salary two-year deal in the NBA would have totaled close to $8 million pre-tax, the Zalgiris contract offers a post-tax total that many view as highly competitive given the lifestyle and playing role in Europe .
Immediate Path to Kaunas
Valanciunas’s return to Europe was triggered by his release from the Denver Nuggets just last week . His stint in Denver was brief, lasting only one season where he appeared in 65 games as a backup center behind Nikola Jokic . During that year, he averaged 8.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, reflecting a reduced role compared to his earlier career peaks .
Instead of seeking another NBA team, Valanciunas made a decisive choice to return home. The two-year commitment signals a long-term intention to settle in this new chapter rather than treating the move as a temporary stopover. This decision aligns with reports that he held a partially guaranteed $10 million contract with Denver for the 2026-27 season, but the Nuggets waived him to save costs, clearing the path for his European exit .
A 14-Year NBA Legacy
Before joining Zalgiris, Valanciunas built an extensive resume across 14 NBA seasons and 1,002 career games. His longevity is a testament to his durability and consistent value as a starting-caliber center. Over his career, he played for six different franchises, traversing the league from East to West:
- Toronto Raptors (2011–2015) – Drafted 5th overall in 2011
- New Orleans Pelicans (2015–2020) – Signed a 3-year, $30.3 million contract here
- Memphis Grizzlies (2020–2022)
- Washington Wizards (2022–2023)
- Sacramento Kings (2023–2025)
- Denver Nuggets (2025–2026)
His career averages stand at 12.8 points and 9.0 rebounds per game, placing him among the most productive centers of his generation . In 2013, he earned second-team All-Rookie honors, and his 854 starts out of 1,002 games highlight his status as a reliable floor presence .
What Zalgiris and Valanciunas Gain
For Zalgiris Kaunas, acquiring Valanciunas is a major strategic boost. The team will now feature a roster with several players having NBA ties, including Carsen Edwards, Saben Lee, Nigel Williams-Goss, and Sterling Brown, but Valanciunas stands as the most decorated veteran . His arrival provides the club with a top-option center who can dominate the interior, offering scoring, rebounding, and veteran leadership in the EuroLeague .
For Valanciunas, this is a return to the environment where his career first took shape. He previously played for Perlas Vilnius and Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius before being drafted by Toronto . Now, after more than 1,000 NBA games, he is making a historic return to compete on the club and country stage where his basketball journey began . As the 2026-27 season approaches, the basketball world will watch how his NBA-honed skills translate back to the European game .