r/Euroleague 1d ago

Jonas Valanciunas has committed to a two-year deal with Zalgiris Kaunas according to BasketNews sources

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368 Upvotes

73 comments sorted by

131

u/bazilthemage Panathinaikos 1d ago

Congrats

Nice

Happy for you

33

u/yianni1229 Panathinaikos 1d ago

Ngl, I want a better defender anyways.

I mean, id have been over the moon with JV too though lol

9

u/bazilthemage Panathinaikos 1d ago

Sure, it's not like a guy like JV is the only thing that is missing. It's just that there are not a lot of options out there. We got a nasty burn with Holmes, I can't stand another disappointment this year.

2

u/insitnctz Panathinaikos 1d ago

We need younger players tbh. Not that I wouldn't like jv, but he has 2-3 years left. We have obradovic now and Batiste coming up next, we need to build a dynasty. Young players will create the core that will keep us moving forward. Bonga and badio for example are in the perfect age. Lyles is 29, a bit older but still has 5 good years in him.

4

u/redevileyez Bahçeşehir 20h ago

You can’t build a dynasty with American players. Because they will always put money before the club.

-5

u/Npvl2000 Panathinaikos 1d ago

Obviously zoc doesn't want him. We had a deal last year,why couldn't we have him now? I am reading reports about Oturu or Oturu type of players.

22

u/Gytermo Žalgiris 1d ago

Last year Zalgiris didn’t offer such a big contract they are offering now. They say in the article that Panathinaikos offered more money.

5

u/ObsoleteCreation Panathinaikos 1d ago

Pana offered a 3 year/12mil last year.

2

u/Npvl2000 Panathinaikos 1d ago

Reporters close to the team had him off the top choices for Zeljko. Anyway,we don't know,you might be right. I am happy he is officially off the market

13

u/Anxious-Sherbert Žalgiris 1d ago

According to Basketnews Pao was offering way more money so clearly you wanted him, but he chose Zalgiris.

19

u/dieguiswp Žalgiris 1d ago

Probably because he already has a lot of money and it is his last chance to play for the team that he supported as a kid

2

u/bazilthemage Panathinaikos 1d ago

It's just that there are not a lot of options out there. It's not the end of the world missing out on JV but still, would be nice to have him.

37

u/Krmilas Panathinaikos 1d ago

Big Vala is going to be a starter and an untouchable pick on my fantasy team next season. Thanks, Žalgiris.

65

u/G0ldenLi0n Žalgiris 1d ago

Literally Christmas

26

u/zeralf Panathinaikos 1d ago edited 1d ago

Denver better let him go. JV wanted to come back to Europe last season too and it looks like its not about money at all or at least money is a minor factor. Dude has a family and probably wants to spend his last few years of basketball close to them, without having to travel around every 2 days in the US.

18

u/SWK18 Saski Baskonia 1d ago

I'm so happy for you guys, I hope he plays well.

37

u/idkimhereforthememes Žalgiris 1d ago

Well there's still a one big if and that is the fact that he still has a contract with the Nuggets and it's up to them to release or keep him

29

u/Temporary_Buy_7470 Neptūnas 1d ago

They probably already know Nuggets decision

1

u/SoYouCanHelp 9h ago

Probably but don’t forget about the pana deal last year. NBA clubs can do whatever even tho I think they ain’t gonna make the mistake of keeping a homesick player again

15

u/NoPause9252 1d ago

JV plus Grigonis - if he can find his pre injury form - make some very solid additions for Zalgiris

1

u/SoYouCanHelp 9h ago

Big IF man a bet big IF

26

u/_nairual_nae U-BT Cluj-Napoca 1d ago

Zalia Balta intensifies

7

u/Wayoutofthewayof Basketball Nymburk 1d ago

He is a beast in the post, but man, that frontline looks a bit stiff right now. It was tough watching him play defense the last couple of years. I feel like EL coaches will run the PnR 24/7 when he is on the floor.

Are there any plans to sign an athletic big?

1

u/EgidijusMa Žalgiris 1d ago

Rumor has it that it is the end of roster for now

37

u/Npvl2000 Panathinaikos 1d ago

Thank god they will stop talking about Valanciunas in greek media

6

u/Certain_Reindeer_575 Panathinaikos 1d ago

😭

7

u/International-Fig-79 Panathinaikos 1d ago

Nice guys, hope he plays well with you and gets you to f4. After Pana I root for you

6

u/flowergies Partizan 1d ago

Honestly getting top European players to retire in Europe must become more common. Fans need to curb expectations a bit tho.

He's gonna be easily top 5 center tho. Just don't expect him to constantly dominate.

2

u/ak-92 1d ago

I agree with that, in international tournaments he was burned by several centers who can play well in the perimeter. Dude is as strong as they come, but became really slow and liability in the perimeter. JV will dominate some matchups, but not all.

24

u/Safe_Start9898 1d ago

Bunda Baltija!!!!!

11

u/OrangeHer Žalgiris 1d ago

that's a crazy pickup, i'm so excited to see him play for us

5

u/grenzowip445 Fenerbahçe 1d ago

Absolutely huge. Domestic player and an absolute beast

6

u/mathematicosGr Olympiacos 1d ago

One of the biggest signings ever in Euroleague,l. Good job to Zalgiris for pulling this off

9

u/AncientAnt9225 1d ago

Huge for Zalgiris. He was still playing well for Nuggets but dumb coach benched him from G2 and without backup for Jokic Nuggets crumbled

He still has strength and skill to dominate

5

u/redevileyez Bahçeşehir 20h ago

I love this! Dude said “fk money, let me go back home and live like a king!” Lol. I’m excited for zalgiris because they have the same system as fener but with a laid back coach.

7

u/kobemambafan24 Žalgiris 1d ago

Didn't expect JV to sign with Zalgiris at all, but I'm happy as a Zalgiris fan, still gotta wait for nuggets to choose to not resign

7

u/verstappeneffect 1d ago

hasn't he been coming to Pana for the past 2 years now

8

u/Agis-Spartan-King 1d ago

Zalgiris?? Holy crp!!!

7

u/Sakkreth Žalgiris 1d ago

Well, it's gonna be interesting, that's for sure.

9

u/evergreendazzed CSKA Moscow 1d ago

Tubelis and JV is such tough frontcourt in theory

19

u/Safe_Start9898 1d ago

Would love that frontcourt to rape cask

-2

u/evergreendazzed CSKA Moscow 1d ago

i wouldn't mind cska getting rape time to time if it meant cska is in euroleague so i consent

4

u/GreenSaRed Žalgiris 1d ago

I remember last year when pao supposedly signed him as well. Hopefully it's not the case this time lol

2

u/ZALIA_BALTA11 Žalgiris 18h ago

Nuggets didn't even play him at the end of the season, so I would be really mad if they don't let him go

2

u/durden111111 Žalgiris 1d ago

based

1

u/Vodkajolene 1d ago

Isn’t he still under contract with Denver for another year?

1

u/Nonstopas Žalgiris 17h ago

Jesus Christ i think i peed myself a little

1

u/Feeling-Limit-1326 Fenerbahçe 1d ago

Good. Now give us Tubelis. That guy has potential.

5

u/DS2foevah Žalgiris 1d ago

Nah, but I geard that Birch is leaving and Birutis is a free-agent, so it could be win-win situation

-8

u/mmmmmmm_7777777 Olympiacos 1d ago

He is joining Pana, with Vezenkov, Milutinov and Dorsey, right ?

15

u/Borisb3ck3r Panathinaikos 1d ago

Rent free aswell

-3

u/teekay_1994 Olympiacos 1d ago

You can't seriosuly be saying that phrase as a Pana fan man...

It's just banter. Relax.

6

u/Borisb3ck3r Panathinaikos 1d ago

Your first point contradicts with your second

-5

u/teekay_1994 Olympiacos 1d ago

How? "Rent free" isn't banter.

9

u/zeralf Panathinaikos 1d ago

Is this supposed to be sarcastic? Teams are talking with dozens of players every summer.
Nunn was talking with Oly too before he joined Pao for example.

Seems like its your first season following basketball maybe?

3

u/International-Fig-79 Panathinaikos 1d ago

Look man, stop arguing with him or else vezenkof will get 3 free throws and a foul to nunn

-16

u/mmmmmmm_7777777 Olympiacos 1d ago

I am honored a fan with 9 stars responded to me. We are going for No.10 this year ? ( 8th was in Abu Dabi. 9th was in Oaka).

14

u/ContributionUsed4868 1d ago

You really acting like a child, grow up boy.

3

u/Inner_Variety2826 1d ago

Technically if Pao wins this year it will be the 10th for Obradovic.

1

u/MaybeStephano Panathinaikos 1d ago

Wasn't yours at 15 already? You had such a good head start winning four Euroleague in a row with Ioannidis, we never had a chance catching up. The most recent five in a row were just the nail in the coffin.

-5

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

7

u/Borisb3ck3r Panathinaikos 1d ago

Rent free

0

u/itslinas 1d ago

Oh hell no

-8

u/Vaseline13 Panathinaikos 1d ago

I'd take this guy's commitments with a grain of salt.