Refuse 20.4 million for 2 years and sign 14.1 million for 3 years. Jokic is very good, but they are more refreshing!

Recently, Lithuanian center Valanne made a shocking decision: to give up his two-year, $20.4 million contract with the Nuggets, and instead join the Greek Panasinakos Club, signing a three-year, $14.1 million contract. According to the current Nuggets' lineup status, major statistical websites predict that the team's odds for winning the championship in the new season are ranked among the top three. This should have been the golden opportunity for Valan's NBA career, especially the opportunity to partner with the "top big man" Jokic, which is a rare opportunity. From a salary perspective, Valan's average annual salary in the Nuggets contract is $10.2 million, while the latter's contract annual salary is less than $5 million. The Nuggets can get twice the salary every year. If Valan eventually wins the championship with the team, in the words of us Chinese, it is to shine the family. What are Varan thinking about if he doesn't do such a good thing? Next, let’s analyze in depth together and uncover the logic hidden behind it.

Valan is 33 years old and was born in Vilnius, Lithuania. In 2011, he was selected by the Raptors with the fifth overall pick in the NBA draft, officially starting his NBA career. Over the past 13 years, Varan has played for many NBA teams, including the Raptors, Grizzlies and Pelicans, and has gradually grown into an excellent inside player.

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So far, Valan has played 937 games in his NBA career, averaging 13.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game; in the playoffs, he participated in 58 games, averaging 13.2 points, 10.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. In the 2024-25 season, he played 32 games with the Kings, averaging 8.7 points, 7 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game, shooting 55.6% from the field and shooting 84.7% from free throws.

After the end of the 2024-25 season, Valan was spotted by the Nuggets and traded from the Kings to the Nuggets, as a substitute for center Jokic to provide support to the Nuggets' inside.

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So, why did Valan give up the Nuggets and join the Greek club of Panasinacos? The editor will next take you to analyze from the following aspects:

Contract Protection:

Nuggets provide Valan with a two-year contract worth US$20.4 million, of which the first annual salary was US$10.395 million and the second year was US$10 million. However, the $10 million in the second year was not guaranteed, meaning the Nuggets have the right to choose not to pay the amount. By comparison, the three-year contract with a total of $14.1 million from Greece's Panasinakos is fully guaranteed, and he can ensure that he gets the money no matter what happens. This undoubtedly provides more financial security for Valan.

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Payroll and taxation aspects:

In the contract with the Nuggets, Valan faces a higher tax burden. The U.S. tax laws include federal income tax, state tax and athlete tax, etc. In addition, the NBA's custodial withholding payments and broker fees are deducted. According to European media reports, Valanne's salary of $10.395 million in the first year of the Nuggets, after deducting all taxes and fees, his actual income was about $4.2-5 million. By comparison, Panasinakos offered Valan a three-year $14.1 million contract, with an after-tax income of about $13 million. This means that in Europe, Valan can enjoy a lower tax burden and has a clearer and more stable income.

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Workplace stress and physical load: The intensity of the game and frequent schedule of the NBA have a huge physical burden on players, especially for the 33-year-old Valan, the risk of injury is higher. Once injured, it may not only affect the appearance, but may also be bought out by the team. This is not uncommon in the NBA, such as Lillard of the Bucks and Terrence Jones of the Pelicans. In contrast, Panasinakos is located in a relatively few Greek league matches and has a relatively small physical load, which allows Valan to better continue his career.

Role Positioning:

In the 2023-2024 season, Varan started with the Pelicans and played all 82 games. However, in the Nuggets, he can only play as a substitute, which seems a bit of a useless to him. Even if the Nuggets finally win the championship, FMVP is likely to be Jokic, and as a substitute, Varan will basically not have any connection with him. As he gets older, Valan's role in the NBA may gradually be marginalized or even abandoned. By contrast, Panasinakos offers a more ideal platform. In the Greek League, Varan will be able to fully utilize his technical advantages in a relatively relaxed environment and continue his career. People like Nunn, Grant, Ottoman, Hernan Gomez, Yultseven and Wenyn Gabriel have all played for the club. It is no problem to get a starter in the club with Valan's skills and NBA performance, which is in line with the concept of "It's better to be a chicken than a bull."

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Family Geographical Location and Basketball Culture: Another important factor in Valaning's decision was family and personal considerations. Geographically speaking, Lithuania to Greece is much more convenient than Denver (the location of the Nuggets), which is undoubtedly a plus for Valan's family life. In addition, Lithuania and Greece are both countries with deep basketball culture. Valanín continues to win glory for his hometown team in the European arena, which may bring a stronger sense of belonging.

As we grow older, especially middle-aged people, we will pay more attention to long-term planning, among which the balance between career, income and family becomes particularly important. For Valan, choosing to stay in a Greek club can get a generous salary and easier errands, and on the other hand, it can better accompany his family. This kind of workplace with "more money and less troubles are close to home" is the ideal choice that many people dream of. If anyone else, I think it is very likely that they would make a similar decision. So, everyone, what do you think? Welcome to leave a message in the comment section to share your thoughts!