Jonas Valanciunas arrives in Athens to complete deal with Panathinaikos

Panathinaikos is about to complete possibly the biggest transfer in the EuroLeague this summer

By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net

NBA center Jonas Valanciunas arrived in Athens, Greece Friday (4/7) night to complete a multiyear deal with EuroLeague powerhouse Panathinaikos.

Valanciunas didn’t talk to reporters upon his arrival considering also that he’s not a free agent yet. Panathinaikos also requested from media that were present in the airport to not capture any footage of the player.

In the coming days, 13-year NBA veteran Valanciunas will undergo his medical and finalize the details of a lucrative contract with Panathinaikos. The two sides have already reached an agreement and the only thing that stands in the way of the player officially joining the Greens is his contract in the NBA.

The Sacramento King have agreed to trade Valanciunas to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Dario Saric and the swap is to become official on Sunday. While the Nuggets considers the Lithuanian big man an important asset as the primary backup of superstar center Nikola Jokic, it is expected that he will part ways with the team in order to sign with Panathinaikos.

Panathinaikos aims to pair Valanciunas with former two-time All-EuroLeague First Teamer Mathias Lessort and create arguably the most powerful center duo outside the NBA. The seven-time EuroLeague champions have already signed 2025 EuroLeague MVP candidate TJ Shorts this offseason, making their stacked backcourt (featuring such players as Kendrick Nunn and Kostas Sloukas) even stronger.

Last season, the 33-year-old Valanciunas averaged 10.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists.