NBA-to-EuroLeague player transfers

In mid‑July 2026, veteran center Jonas Valančiūnas ended a 14‑year NBA career by signing with Lithuanian EuroLeague club Žalgiris, marking his return to European basketball after his last stint with Rytas Vilnius in 2011‑12. He cited the club’s atmosphere, passionate fans, and title ambitions as key motivations.

A week later, the move was highlighted as part of a broader, long‑standing flow of talent from the United States to Europe. The report referenced historic NBA‑to‑EuroLeague transfers such as Bob McAdoo to Olimpia Milano in 1986 and Dominik Vilkins to Panathinaikos in 1995, and noted recent examples including Valančiūnas’s return and former Golden State Warriors player Patrick Boldvin joining Serbian side Crvena zvezda. At least 16 players have moved directly from the NBA or its development league to EuroLeague clubs, while a smaller group of five have returned to the NBA after European stints, underscoring the continued appeal of prominent roles and championship opportunities on the Old Continent.