Hoopshype journalist Michael Scotto reported that the Nuggets chose to pay the remaining $2 million to the Lithuanian over three seasons – $667,000 per year (before taxes).
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This amount belongs to J. Valančiūnas for the 2026-2027 season. The Nuggets could have terminated the $10 million contract with the center before July 8, which they did, but $2 million of it was already guaranteed to the Lithuanian under a previous agreement.
The Nuggets chose to extend the payment term because they want to minimize the annual burden on their salary cap – payments to J. Valančiūnas will also count towards it in the coming seasons.
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The Utena native, who spent 14 years in the NBA, will have earned a total of $158.1 million including this $2 million. Before leaving the strongest league in the world, the Lithuanian managed to join an exclusive club of wealthy players that does not even include Michael Jordan.
J. Valančiūnas signed a two-year contract with Žalgiris, with an annual value reportedly around 2 million euros.
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