Athens This summer is becoming the epicenter of the European basketball market, with the arrival of Jonas Valanciun. The Lithuanian pivot, with thirteen experiences of experience in the NBA, landed in the Greek capital last Friday to finalize the details of a multiannual agreement with the Panathinaikosmovement that is emerging as the most outstanding transfer of the year in the Euroleague.
The arrival of Valanciun33, occurs at a particular moment of his career. Still under contract in the NBAwas recently transferred from the Sacramento Kings To the Denver Nuggets In an exchange that included Dario Saric. Although Lithuanus was expected to assume a relevant role as the main substitute for Nikola Jokic, his future seems to be far from the US League despite the fact that the operation has become official.
Various factors explain the turn of Valanciun toward Europa. Beyond economic considerations, which place the offer of the Panathinaikos Around 12 million euros for three seasons (an annual figure comparable or higher than your salary NBA After taxes), the Greek proposal offers long -term stability, an indisputable leading role and the opportunity to actively compete for multiple titles, both in Greece and in Europa. For a player with a winning history in lower categories and two silver with Lithuania in Eurobasket, the perspective of returning to the path of trophies after years in NBA teams without championship aspirations is a significant incentive.
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The Panathinaikos is also building a large caliber template. The possible incorporation of Valanciunas seeks to form one of the most powerful pairs of pivots outside the NBA Together with Mathias Lessort, twice included in the best quintet in the Euroleague. This movement adds to the signing of TJ Shortsbase from Paris Basketball and considered a candidate for MVP of the Euroleague in 2025, reinforcing an external line already formidable with names like Kendrick Nunn and kostas Sloukas.
The Athenian club is not a European team to use. Its template already has six players with NBA past (NunnJerian GrantCedi OsmanJuancho HernangomezOmer YURTSEVEN). Besides, Panathinaikos He managed the second highest budget in the Euroleague last season, with 37 million euros, of which 20.5 million allocated to salaries of players and coaches, tieding in the third place of the Euroleague (with Olympiacos) in this section.
The passion of his hobby and attraction of Athens as a city, with his climate and aerial connection with Lithuaniacomplete a package that makes the offer of Panathinaikos especially attractive.
The decision of Valanciun surprising in the NBA, where he was seen as a valuable piece for Nuggets. However, the integral proposal of the Panathinaikoswhich combines an ambitious sports project with post-imposed financial stability and the guarantee of a central role, seems to have inclined the balance towards a return to Europe, marking a milestone in the signing market.
Now it will be necessary to see if these reinforcements that will be rival to beat in Europe translate into titles. That has been the great pending subject this course, in which those of Ataman They have only achieved the cup.
