Jonas Valanciunas is going home. After 14 seasons in the NBA, the 6-foot-11, 265-pound center has agreed to a two-year deal with Zalgiris Kaunas in his native Lithuania, according to Donatas Urbonas. The 2011 first-round pick, who spent last season backing up Nikola Jokic in Denver, is leaving the league for good.
The move ends one of the more durable careers you’ll see. Valanciunas averaged 12.8 points and nine rebounds over 14 seasons, starting in Toronto before carving out a reputation as one of the league’s better interior scorers in Memphis and New Orleans. He was never flashy, but the numbers were steady. Dude could get you a double-double in his sleep.
How We Got Here
Last season was weird for Valanciunas. The Nuggets traded for him and he immediately tried to bounce for international play — he had a deal lined up with Panathinaikos in Greece. Denver said no. They made him play out his contract. So he did, serving as Jokic’s backup for a full season before being waived this offseason.
Now he’s free to go where he wanted all along. Zalgiris Kaunas is a huge deal in Lithuania. It’s the kind of team where Valanciunas won’t just be a rotation piece. He’ll be the guy.
And honestly, his game was slipping on defense last season. The Nuggets needed a rim protector off the bench and Valanciunas couldn’t give them that anymore. Denver’s backup center issue has been a problem since Mason Plumlee left, and Marvin Bagley — who they signed in free agency — is more of a tweener than a traditional big. The Nuggets are thin behind Jokic again.
What This Means for Everyone Involved
For Denver, it’s another offseason where they haven’t solved the backup big problem. Jokic missed significant time for the first time last season and it showed. They don’t have much insurance now. Bagley might work, but he’s never consistently stayed healthy or played winning basketball. The Nuggets are betting on development there.
For Valanciunas, this is a chance to be a star again. He was an All-Rookie Second Team pick in 2013, but his most serious accolades came overseas. He won LKL Most Improved Player twice, was an LKL champion, took home FIBA Young Player of the Year twice, and made three LKL All-Star teams. Going back to Lithuania at 33 years old, he can play a massive role and finish his career on his own terms.
The NBA loses a guy who was never a superstar but was always a professional. 14 years, 800-plus games, consistent production. That’s rarer than people think.
Leave a Comment