By Johnny Askounis/ [email protected]
Back in Lithuania during the NBA offseason, Jonas Valanciunas expects to return to the Sacramento Kings for the 2025-26 campaign, his 14th in the league.
“I can make my own plans, but what the Kings decide is what matters most,” the 33-year-old Lithuanian center told reporters during his annual training camp, “Right now, I’m planning to stay. I haven’t heard anything about being traded or moved. Until there is such information, all my focus is on Sacramento.”
The experienced big has a guaranteed contract until the end of the 2026-27 season, after penning a three-year deal worth 30 million dollars with the Washington Wizards last July. In February, he was traded to the Kings and averaged 8.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.6 blocks, and 0.5 steals over 32 appearances.
A veteran of 995 NBA games, the Utena native also revealed possible retirement plans and playing for hometown Uniclub Bet-Juventus to end his playing career.
The ongoing offseason is expected to extend to suiting up for the senior national team of his country in the EuroBasket 2025. Confirming projections would shape a sixth EuroBasket appearance.
Lithuania is set to compete in Tampere in the preliminary round of the summer tournament, facing Great Britain, Montenegro, Germany, host Finland, and Sweden between August 27 and September 3. The top four countries at the end of the round-robin schedule will advance to the Round of 16 and the knockout stage to be played in Riga from September 6 to 14.