By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
When the news broke out that Jonas Valanciunas was considering a EuroLeague offer while being under contract in the NBA, everyone expected fireworks. It all ended without too much drama, with Valanciunas himself putting an end to the story, which might end up being a cautionary tale for players, clubs, and also agents.
During the EuroLeague Final Four in Abu Dhabi, there were rumors about a potential flirt between Panathinaikos and Jonas Valanciunas. However, those rumors were shut down by the Lithuanian big man having a guaranteed NBA contract and seemingly no intention to leave the NBA.
After all, on the 16th of June, he publicly stated his intention to stay in the NBA, at the time with Sacramento.
However, where there’s smoke, at least sometimes there’s fire, and when it was reported not only that Valanciunas was thinking about taking an offer from Panathinaikos but also coming to Athens for physical exams, all hell broke loose, at least in Europe.
The position of Denver, which traded for Valanciunas just days ago, was always firm about the Lithuanian backing up Nikola Jokic, while sources from Panathinaikos believed that having the player in Greece was a clear indication of an upcoming deal.
It was like the two teams were speaking to different people, and this might be the case. Valanciunas is represented in the US by Jeff Schwartz, CEO and founder of Excel Sports Management, who is collaborating in Europe with Beobasket and Misko Raznatovic. Both of them also represent Denver’s franchise player, Nikola Jokic.
However, Valanciunas was a different case, being represented in Europe by Lithuanian Sarunas Broga, a respected, longtime agent who has found success also in other business ventures and fintech.
According to Panathinaikos sources, their talks were made with the Lithuanian side and not the US side. According to many US sources contacted by Eurohoops, NBA teams were never informed about Valanciunas’ wish to move back to Europe. That’s why Denver traded for him, betting on him as a key addition to their championship quest.
What really happened and what info was provided, only those directly involved can know, but it’s clear that some kind of miscommunication occurred.
There was also an assumption that the relationship of Schwartz with the Nuggets would help Valanciunas, if he wanted to be released. However, this is also a double-edged sword. Schwartz has a special relationship with Denver because of Jokic and may not want to create any issues with the franchise.
In any case, Panathinaikos and the player himself didn’t want to create any rift with Denver and tried to handle the situation as delicately as possible. That’s why the reports about the interest or even a verbal deal didn’t change much in the big picture and can’t be blamed for anything, with the only possible exception maybe the leak about Valanciunas coming to Athens, while being under contract.
In the end, and with Valanciunas leaving an open window for the future on his statement – “the idea of playing for Panathinaikos, close to home, was very exciting to me, but that will have to wait” – it remains to be seen if next summer Denver doesn’t pick his option and he would be a free agent, free to play wherever he is wanted and wants to.