Goodbye NBA! Why is 33-year-old Valan, unwilling to go to the Nuggets?

It's a pity that Valan did not stay in the NBA in the end.

Previous news, the Nuggets reached a deal with the Kings. The Nuggets sent away Saric, who had not played much for the whole season, and got the Kings 33-year-old center Valanciunas.

At that time, we said that the Nuggets used Air (Saric had never played in a single game in the playoffs) to exchange for Jokic's substitute. The operation was definitely commendable. For comparison, Booth had made three rounds last season + Reggie Jackson's ghost-level deal.

However, the transaction soon had some emergencies.

It is reported that after Valan was traded to the Nuggets, he wanted to buy out with the Nuggets and then join the Greek league team Panasinakos, who provided Valan with a contract of 12 million euros (about 14.1 million US dollars). In order to go to Europe, Valan was willing to give up all his salary next season.

At that time, the Nuggets were persuading Varan to stay in the NBA, but judging from the latest news, the Nuggets did not succeed - a report by famous reporter Marc Stein, Varan had arrived in Athens and met with Panasinakos. He did not accept any interviews, and if nothing unexpected happens, he will sign the above contract with Panasinakos.

Nuggets fans certainly don't want this to happen. Jokic, whom he finally found, was gone at the bench. However, from Valan's perspective, it is completely understandable to make this decision. The reasons are as follows:

1. Valan has played in the NBA for 13 years and has not achieved much success. In the past few years, he has played in the Grizzlies, Pelicans, Wizards, and Kings respectively. He has played in the playoffs every year, and even if he enters the playoffs, he is eliminated in the first round.

Although the Nuggets, which are about to join, have the ability to compete for the championship, with Jokic here, Valan would definitely not be able to get too many opportunities, and the playing time is likely to be around 15 minutes.

In contrast, Panasinacos, this team won the Champions League in 2024, and there are many former NBA players in the team, including Nunn, Ottoman, and Juan Hernan Gomez. Not only has the strength to compete for the championship, but also can become the main force of the team by joining, and there is no need to play so many games every year.

2. Valan has two years left in the current contract, with salary of 10.4 million and 10 million respectively, which seems to be quite large, but in fact, the second year is an unsecured contract. With Valan's performance of 8.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game with the Kings last season, and his age of 34 next year, it is highly likely that the Nuggets will cut it. If it is good, sign a new contract. If it is bad, you may only get a basic salary or even have no ball to play.

Moreover, even if his contract salary is 10.4 million in the new season, after deducting various taxes, he may only get around 4.2 million to 5 million US dollars. According to European media, the 3-year and 12 million euros provided by Panasinakos is an after-tax guarantee contract, which is better than staying in the NBA regardless of annual salary, years or protection.

3. Compared with the Denver Plateau, Athens is obviously more livable, and it is also more convenient for Valanna to return to China (Lithuania), which only takes 3 hours - no player of this age can refuse to be closer to home. In the free market, the two future Hall of Famers, Westbrook and Paul, also hope that the new team will be closer to home.

Summary: There is more money, less work, a high status, able to compete for the championship, and close to home. Valan is completely understandable to give up the NBA, but for the Nuggets, Valan's departure is somewhat unexpected and a pity. It is reported that the Nuggets have been trying to get Valan for many years.

However, the Nuggets are not completely unreal. In any case, they have gotten rid of Saric's contract with a remaining 5.42 million yuan a year in this deal, and if Valan gives up all his salary to buyout, the Nuggets will have a full 14.1 million yuan in full middle class special case, and they can continue to use this middle class to pursue other big free agents.

In fact, there is no shortage of players like Valan in history who give up the NBA and return to Europe to pursue a higher contract and status. So although I feel sorry for Jokic, Valan’s decision can only be understanding, respect and blessing.

As for the Nuggets, the good thing is that the free market has only been opened for a few days, and there are still many players to choose. For example, if you can get Horford, then the Nuggets may be more advanced than getting Valan, which depends on what surprises the management can bring next.