Itâs not so usual to see NBA players crave to leave to play overseas. Itâs usually the other way around. However, Jonas Valanciunas isnât like most players, and he wants to return to the Old Continent.
He reportedly reached an agreement on a multi-year deal with Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos, but heâs still under contract in the NBA, and he was recently traded to the Denver Nuggets.
With that in mind, former Greece and Panathinaikos coach â and current St. Johnâs coach â Rick Pitino shared his honest thoughts on Valanciunasâ potential arrival.
Rick Pitino would love to see Valanciunas in Greece
âThat would be awesome, but itâs going to be very difficult to do because heâs got a year left on his contract, and some compensation will have to be made,â Pitino told Gazzetta.
Jonas Valanciunas #17 of the Sacramento Kings smiles after making a basket in the fourth quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Golden 1 Center on April 13, 2025 in Sacramento, California.
For now, it looks like the Nuggets donât want to cave, and they know that it could set a dangerous precedent. Barring a shocking turn of events, heâs not going anywhere.
And while heâs not going to play as many minutes because of Nikola Jokicâs presence, Valanciunas could be the type of elite pickup that could help this team get back to the mountaintop.
