Following reported trade to Nuggets, Jonas Valanciunas considering NBA departure to play overseas: Report

[ASFN Admin]

Jonas Valanciunas might not back up Nikola Jokic, after all.

Just two days after reports surfaced about an agreed-to player swap between the Sacramento Kings and Denver Nuggets that would send Valanciunas to Denver and fellow veteran big man Dario Saric to Sacramento, news broke about Valanciunas' interest in playing overseas.

Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews first reported Thursday that Valanciunas is considering leaving the NBA to play for Greek club Panathinaikos Athens.

Longtime NBA insider Marc Stein confirmed Urbonas' report that a return to Europe is enticing for Valanciunas.

League sources confirm that the lure of a return to Europe holds strong appeal to Jonas Valanciunas … which could lead to him seeking a buyout from his NBA contract to join Panathinaikos as @Urbodo reports.

Would scuttle what seemed like such a promising addition for Denver. https://t.co/U7UAb97t9v

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 3, 2025

Stein reported that Valanciunas could seek a buyout from his NBA contract to join Panathinaikos Athens.

Even though Denver and Sacramento agreed to the Valanciunas-Saric trade, the exchange cannot be made official until Sunday.

This breaking news story will be updated.

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