​DENVER, COLORADO – APRIL 6: Jonas Valanciunas #17 of the Denver Nuggets reacts to a score in the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Ball Arena on April 6, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) GettyThe Denver Nuggets have been involved in quite a few rumors early on this offseason, but to this point, they have not made many moves. Perhaps the most important decision the team made saw it release center Jonas Valanciunas, leading to speculation as to what the future would hold for the veteran big man.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDespite expressing a desire to play in Europe, the Nuggets held onto Valanciunas and employed him as Nikola Jokic‘s backup for the 2025-26 campaign. By moving on from him, though, that seemingly paved a path for Valanciunas to go play overseas. After shooting down rumors that he had agreed to a deal to return to Europe, Valanciunas finally appears to have put pen to paper on a contract that will see him return to his native Lithuania.Valanciunas was selected by the Toronto Raptors with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, and he ended up turning himself into a valuable center. While he was never a de facto superstar, Valanciunas is a skilled interior scorer who also can haul in rebounds on both ends of the floor.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAfter spending the first six-and-a-half seasons of his career with the Raptors, Valanciunas has bounced around the league a bit, playing for five different teams since 2019. With the Nuggets last season, Valanciunas appeared in 65 games, averaging 8.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game while shooting 58.2% from the field.There’s no doubt that, even as he prepares to enter his age-34 season, Valanciunas can still play in the NBA, but it always seemed likely that he would return to Europe this offseason, especially after Denver moved on from him. Sure enough, reports have emerged indicating that Valanciunas will sign with Zalgiris Kaunas in Lithuania.“Jonas Valanciunas leaves the NBA after 14 seasons, officially signing a two-year deal with EuroLeague side Zalgiris Kaunas of Lithuania,” Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews reported in a post on X.Portland Trail Blazers v Denver NuggetsGettyDENVER, COLORADO – APRIL 6: Jonas Valanciunas #17 of the Denver Nuggets reacts to a score in the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Ball Arena on April 6, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLosing Valanciunas hurts, largely because the Nuggets don’t have m