Panathinaikos found them with Valantziou, in the hand of Lithuanus his release from the NBA

THE Panathinaikos He is ready to trigger the “bomb” of summer and complete one of the biggest transcriptions in his history by acquiring him Jonas Valanci. The “Greens” have verbally agreed with the 33 -year -old center for A three -year contract for 12 million.but in order to activate it, he must be released from his contract in the NBA.

The Lithuanian It has a closed contract of $ 10.35 million (mixed) for the 2025/26 season. A few days ago was given with Exchange by Kings to Nuggets (instead of Dario Saric) and this will be formalized on Sunday (6/7). Indeed, as stated in the US, despite Valantziou’s intention to play in Panathinaikos, Deal will not spoil and its rights will be transferred to Denver.

It is now at the hand of the player and the moods of the Nuggets whether and when it will be released. The champions of 2023 agreed to acquire Valancias to give him a role and is said to be trying to “bake” him to stay in the team. If they do not, with the poverty in the NBA tall, they will be forced to switch to Jokic’s back-up solutions and maybe be forced to bet on Daron Holmes, the 22-year-old (2.08m) who did not get in the draft last year.

Valanciua, however, is extremely doubtful to change their minds. Having already 13 seasons in the NBA and a contract expiring next summer (there is a $ 10m Obligation Observation for 2026/27), It is not willing to play in 10-12 minutes left over by the irreplaceable Nikola Jokic. He seems to have decided to return to Europe, to be a protagonist, to claim titles (beyond two medals in Eurobasket with Lithuania, he has no major titles) and experience a different atmosphere. And of course to get the big, time and amount, a Panathinaikos contract, which will offer him all this. Although having made $ 145.75 million in his NBA years, money is no longer what is of interest to him first.

How can a veteran center from Denver go out? It looks like a one -way street suggesting them to give his entire contract, or at least take a very small part of 10.35 million. If he has greater claims, the Nuggets will hardly release him. There is also the scenario to leave with an exchange in a … third group, which will be more alternative to its release, with the “pellets” taking a consideration and sending it to a franchise that will rebuilding and will not have a objection to “loading” his contract to Salary Cap to release him.

In any case, the case may not be delayed for more than 5-10 days and will be closed in one way or another soon.