In a discussion aired on Zalgiris TV, Valanciunas explained that the decision process was lengthy and involved many conversations. He highlighted the importance of his homeland and the role Zalgiris and Lithuanian basketball have played in his career. He was impressed by the club’s development and the passionate support from the fans, deciding that being part of that story was a compelling possibility for him at this stage of his life and career.
Valanciunas began his professional journey with BC Rytas in Lithuania before entering the 2011 NBA draft as one of the top international prospects of that class. He was selected fifth overall by the Toronto Raptors and made his mark as the starting center in his rookie season. Valanciunas spent more than six seasons with Toronto before being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies midway through the 2018-19 season as part of the deal centered around Marc Gasol. That same year, Toronto captured the NBA championship; Valanciunas contributed in the early part of the season but did not receive a championship ring for his role in the first half of the campaign.
After his stint with the Grizzlies, Valanciunas spent two and a half seasons with Memphis before moving to the New Orleans Pelicans in the summer of 2022 as part of a trade that sent Eric Bledsoe and Steven Adams in the opposite direction. He later joined the Washington Wizards as a free agent in 2024 and was traded to the Sacramento Kings during his first season with Washington. The Nuggets acquired him the following offseason, where he remained under contract for another season before deciding to return to Europe.
Valanciunas has posted career averages of 12.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game across more than 1,000 NBA appearances. His decision to leave the league marks a notable transition, as he looks to continue his professional career amid Europe’s vibrant basketball culture.
Off the court, the Denver Nuggets have been recalibrating their roster as they seek to bolster internal depth. In response to Valanciunas’s departure, the Nuggets focused on securing a compatible backup center. They moved quickly to add Marvin Bagley III on a one-year contract, positioning him as a potential replacement depending on how the rotation shapes up. Bagley, a former top draft pick, brings versatility to the frontline that could complement Jokic in various lineups. His ability to play both center and power forward offers tactical options if injuries or rest days reshape the frontcourt rotation.
As Bagley integrates, he will compete for minutes with fellow big men such as Spencer Jones, DaRon Holmes II, and Zeke Nnaji, who are all in the mix for backup center roles and additional frontcourt depth. The Nuggets will likely use Bagley to provide energy, scoring, and rebounding off the bench, while also offering lineup flexibility to stagger minutes between Jokic and Bagley in small-ball or traditional two-big configurations.
Valanciunas’s return to Europe and Bagley’s arrival in Denver illustrate the ongoing evolution of the NBA’s roster-building landscape, where teams balance veteran leadership, athleticism, and depth to navigate a long season. For Valanciunas, the move back to Lithuania opens a new chapter in a career that has already left a substantial mark across international and NBA stages. For Nuggets fans, Bagley’s signing represents a proactive step to preserve stability in the frontcourt as they continue to chase deep playoff runs and championship aspirations.
