The New York Knicks are pursuing Jonas Valančiūnas, but face competition from European teams.
What's at stake?
The Knicks' pursuit of Valančiūnas may not be about convincing him to choose them over another NBA team, but rather about convincing him not to return to Europe. As of their last result, a 94-90 win over the San Antonio Spurs on 2026-06-14, the Knicks are on a 4-game winning run, with a recent form of 4W-0D-1L.
Why it matters for New York Knicks
Valančiūnas has a standing offer from Žalgiris Kaunas, a Lithuanian powerhouse, to return to his native country. NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer said Valančiūnas has the option to play for Žalgiris Kaunas if he wants to.
What comes next?
The Knicks have had interest in Valančiūnas for several years, and their sales pitch will not be centered on money this time. Valančiūnas is eligible for a one-year veteran minimum deal worth approximately $3.9 million, but the Knicks can only offer him a deal worth about $2.5 million against their payroll. The structure gives the Knicks a viable path to signing Valančiūnas, but they must sell him on the opportunity to join the team and pursue another title. And with the Knicks sitting approximately $3.3 million below the NBA's second apron, they have room for one more signing before reaching the league's standard 14-player roster minimum. But Valančiūnas would likely compete for reserve center minutes rather than step into a guaranteed rotation role. So the Knicks must convince him that playing for the team is the best option for his career. The tradeoff is playing time, as Andre Drummond is expected to enter training camp as Karl-Anthony Towns' primary backup.
Žalgiris Offers Money, Role and Homecoming
Žalgiris can offer Valančiūnas a two-year contract, with the first season worth at least 2 million euros. This figure underscores how seriously the EuroLeague team is pursuing one of Lithuania's most accomplished players. The overseas offer also likely comes with a larger role and the emotional appeal of returning home after more than a decade in the NBA. As the Knicks look to sign Valančiūnas, they will have to compete with the offer from Žalgiris Kaunas and the appeal of returning to his native country. With the Knicks coming off a strong win over the San Antonio Spurs, they will look to build on their momentum and convince Valančiūnas to join the team.
