Valanciunas is heading to Athens for medicals, on offer from Panathinaikos
· EurohoopsPanathinaikos Aktor presents an offer to 33-year-old Jonas Valanciunas and awaits the player in Athens for medical tests
By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Jonas Valanciunas is expected to land in Athens to undergo medical tests and extend ongoing talks with Panathinaikos Aktor, as multiple sources close to the situation confirm.
Greek outlet SDNA first reported on his trip to Greece.
After closing the 2024-25 Regular Season with 8.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game over 32 appearances with the Sacramento Kings, Valanciunas was recently traded to the Denver Nuggets, with his contract guaranteed until the end of the 2025-26 season.
The 33-year-old center is considering an offer amounting to 12 million euros in a three-year contract with the Greens and is seemingly nearing an agreement, according to Basketnews.
In a possible deal with Panathinaikos, he may leave approximately 10 million dollars on the table to move his talents to the storied Greek club. In contrast to the next season, another ten million dollars on his contract for the 2026-27 season is not guaranteed.
Valanciunas recently talked about his plans to stay with the Kings, since dropped by the latest trade impacting his NBA career, and hoping to eventually call it a day in Lithuania with his hometown Uniclub Bet-Juventus.
Meanwhile, he was called up for the EuroBasket 2025, as expected. A long and successful international career with Lithuania, starting from the junior level back in 2007, will carry into a sixth EuroBasket appearance, following 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2022, including two silver medals. Playing for his country additionally features the Olympic Games in 2012 and 2016, and the FIBA World Cup in 2014, 2019, and 2023.