NBA Rumors: The latest signing by the Nuggets could end up in Europe without making their debut with Denver

In a surprising turn of events, just two days after being traded to the Denver Nuggets, veteran center Jonas Valanciunas is on the verge of leaving the NBA after 13 seasons to head to Greece.

Basketnews reports that Valanciunas is about to sign a contract with Panathinaikos, one of the most powerful teams in the EuroLeague and the Greek basketball league. The deal is for three years worth 14 million dollars (12 million euros).

He has two years left on his contract, which he signed as a free agent with the Washington Wizards last summer. He is set to earn 10 million dollars in each of the next two seasons, but it is only guaranteed until the 2025-26 season, after which the Nuggets would have a team option. The Nuggets traded Dario Saric for him on Tuesday.

With the offer from Panathinaikos, Valanciunas might be foregoing money to take this step and would request a contract buyout from the Nuggets, as reported by journalist Marc Stein.

Valanciunas' Career in the NBA

JV was the fifth overall pick in the NBA Draft of 2011 by the Toronto Raptors, where he spent the first six and a half years of his career. He was traded at the last minute to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Marc Gasol in 2019, only to see his former team win the NBA championship without him.

Valanciunas has also played for the New Orleans Pelicans, Washington Wizards, and Sacramento Kings, averaging 13.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 25.1 minutes per game.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Rumores NBA: El último fichaje de los Nuggets podría acabar en Europa sin debutar con Denver