Nuggets star reportedly nearing stunning EuroLeague move days after trade

Andrew Nemec

Nuggets star reportedly nearing stunning EuroLeague move days after trade image

Newest Denver Nuggets addition Jonas Valanciunas may not be a Nugget after all.

The 33-year-old Lithuanian is close to accepting an offer from Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos Athens, according to BasketNews.

The site reports Valanciunas could soon ink a three-year, $12-million deal, which contrasts with his current one-year, $10.4 million deal with the Nuggets.

That NBA contract includes a team option to extend the contract another year. But it's beginning to look as though Valanciunas would prefer to play overseas. 

The news comes just days after the former Sacramento Kings center was traded to Denver for Dario Saric.

Last year, the talented-but-aging big man averaged 10.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game while playing in 81 contests. 

Valanciunas was the No. 5 overall draft pick by the Toronto Raptors in 2011. He has played for five franchises during his 15-year NBA career. 

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Andrew Nemec

Andrew Nemec has covered high school sports and the recruiting landscape for more than a decade, with an emphasis on the former and current Pac-12 footprint. Nemec, who hosts his own radio show on ESPN-affiliate 1080 The FAN in Portland, Oregon, is a graduate of the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communication.