Jonas Valanciunas confirmed on Monday that he will remain with the Denver Nuggets through the 2025-26 season.

The 33-year-old Valanciunas mainly plays as a center and made his debut in the Lithuanian domestic league in 2008. He officially entered the NBA in 2011 and then moved to the Toronto Raptors, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, Washington Wizards and Sacramento Kings.

According to ESPN statistics, Valanciunas played 81 regular season games for the Wizards and Kings last season, averaging 10.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game, with a shooting percentage of 55.0% and a three-point shooting percentage of 21.6%.

Earlier this month, the Nuggets traded Valanciunas from the Kings. Valanciunas originally preferred to return to the European arena and was even close to joining the Greek giants Panathinaikos with a three-year contract worth 12 million euros. He therefore applied to the Nuggets for a buyout of his two-year contract worth 20.4 million US dollars, but was ultimately not approved.

In the face of continued speculation, Valanciunas finally broke his silence. He made it clear to Donatas Urbonas, vice president of BasketNews: "Since the Denver Nuggets have decided to keep me, I want to take this opportunity to clarify where I will be next season. The idea of returning to my hometown and playing for Panathinaikos is indeed very exciting to me, but this matter can only be put on hold for the time being."

"I am fully committed to fulfilling my current contract and helping the Nuggets win a championship," Valanciunas concluded.