Valančiūnas, who has two years remaining on the deal he signed with the Sacramento Kings last offseason, has reportedly been pursued by Greek team Panathinaikos for a potential return to pro hoops in Europe. The Nuggets intend to have Valančiūnas honor his NBA contract, however, per ESPN.

The Nuggets dealt Dario Sarič to the Sacramento Kings and secured Valančiūnas as a backup option to Nikola Jokić, shoring up a key need behind the three-time NBA MVP. Valančiūnas, a 33-year-old native of Lithuania, is reportedly mulling a return closer to home but would need to secure a buyout in order to make the move to Europe.