Many fans of EuroLeague teams, or European teams in general, often have to come to terms with the idea that they will lose some of their favorite players to the NBA.
The NBA teams often come to Europe to "shop," taking away some of the continent's best players, either through the draft or free agency.
However, the good news is that some of these players then return to Europe.
Sometimes they do so towards the end of their careers, when they want to move closer to home or to a place they are particularly fond of.
Other times, they return to Europe earlier, perhaps disappointed by the limited playing time they have had in the NBA.
Looking ahead to the summer of 2026, then, who might be the familiar NBA faces who could return, at least hypothetically, to Europe?
Let's try to find out together.
Jonas Valanciunas | C | Denver Nuggets
Credit Credit Image – Scanpix
Last summer, Jonas Valanciunas was on the verge of returning to Europe. The Lithuanian center had agreed to a three-year contract with Panathinaikos and had even flown to Athens for medical examinations.
A few weeks earlier, however, Valanciunas had been traded by the Sacramento Kings to the Denver Nuggets, and the Denver franchise had no intention of cutting him, seeing him as the main backup to Nikola Jokic.
In the end, Valanciunas remained in the NBA, but his future in the United States remains in serious doubt.
The Lithuanian player has another year left on his $10 million contract with Denver. Still, it is only partially guaranteed, and the Nuggets can cut him by July 8, paying him only $2 million.
"My plan is to be here all season, my plan is to play for Denver. What happened happened, there were a lot of talks, but now I'm here. I'm proud to represent Denver, so that's all," Valanciunas recently told BasketNews.
In recent years, Valanciunas has expressed frustration with his situation in the NBA, as he has been forced to change teams several times in a short period.
It is therefore likely that if the Nuggets decide to cut him in the summer, the Lithuanian player could actually return to Europe.
Why Valanciunas Wanted To Leave Denver For Europe
Dario Saric | F | Sacramento Kings
Credit FIBA
Another player who has a good chance of leaving the NBA next summer is Dario Saric, currently with the Sacramento Kings.
The 31-year-old Croatian player was coming off a season in which he saw little playing time with the Denver Nuggets, and this season, the situation has not changed much.
Even in Sacramento, Saric is playing very little, despite receiving reassurances from the coach at the beginning of the season.
The Croatian player is earning around $5.5 million this season, and his contract is expiring.
It is therefore likely that at the end of the season, Saric will choose to return to Europe after his recent negative experiences in the NBA.
Last summer, there was already some contact with Dubai, a team that has an excellent relationship with Misko Raznatovic, the player's agent.
A player with his skill set could still be a factor in Europe, and the time has probably come for Saric to return at the EuroLeague level.
Dante Exum | G | Dallas Mavericks
Credit AP - Scanpix
After great stints in Europe with Barcelona and Partizan Belgrade, Dante Exum returned to the NBA in the summer of 2023, signing with the Dallas Mavericks.
In his first season in Texas, he exceeded expectations, becoming an important rotation player.
However, Exum only played 20 games due to injuries.
A knee injury has already forced Exum to miss the entire season, without playing a single game.
With his $3.3 million contract expiring at the end of the season, Exum may have to consider returning to Europe to get back in the game, as it would be more difficult for him to get another chance in the NBA given his injury problems.
At the EuroLeague level, the player has already proven that he can be a factor, and some European clubs may still decide to invest in him despite his physical problems.
Another option for Exum could be to play in Australia, his home country.
The NBL is a much more competitive league than it was a few years ago, and the player would certainly be welcomed by his home fans.
Bogdan Bogdanovic | G | Los Angeles Clippers
Credit AFP-Scanpix
Next summer, Bogdan Bogdanovic will turn 34. The Serbian player has been in the NBA since 2017, and his contract for next season, worth $16.2 million, is not guaranteed.
His future will be decided by the Los Angeles Clippers, who will determine whether or not to exercise their team option.
It is clear that despite his age, Bogdanovic is a player who could still find another team in the NBA.
The Serbian player remains an excellent shooter, and his skills could still be helpful to several NBA franchises.
At almost 34 years of age, however, it cannot be ruled out that Bogdanovic may want to try a return to Europe, especially if he receives a call from the teams he holds most dear, Partizan Belgrade and Fenerbahce.
If the Serbian player becomes a free agent in the summer and no particularly intriguing offers come in from the NBA market, the chances of seeing him back in Europe would certainly increase.
Several EuroLeague teams would be ready to put offers on the table that could convince him to return to the old continent, especially at this point in his career.
Jock Landale | C | Memphis Grizzlies
Credit AP-Scanpix
The lack of quality big men in the EuroLeague will almost certainly prompt some teams to make a very generous offer to a big man leaving the NBA.
In this regard, an intriguing name to bring back to Europe could be Jock Landale.
The Australian center has European experience, having played for Partizan Belgrade and Zalgiris Kaunas early in his career.
This is his fifth season in the NBA, so Landale has already earned his pension and medical coverage, which could convince him to consider a return to Europe or Australia.
He is doing well in Memphis, averaging 11 points and 6 rebounds per game, but his contract, worth just under $2.5 million, is expiring.
If no convincing offers come in from the NBA, he can certainly expect high-level offers in Europe, which could make him one of the highest-paid players on the Old Continent.
Simone Fontecchio | F | Miami Heat
Credit AP-Scanpix
Simone Fontecchio arrived in the NBA in 2022 with the Utah Jazz and carved out a niche for himself.
This year, the Italian player is in Miami and has a contract worth around $8.3 million coming to an end.
Over the past few seasons, Fontecchio has proven that he can hold his own in the league, but he has rarely managed to play a prominent role.
This, of course, would be very different in Europe, where Fontecchio has already proven he can be a decisive player, especially with his performances for the Italian national team.
Even in his case, there are early signs that European teams are ready to make substantial offers for next summer.
It will be up to Fontecchio to decide whether to return to Europe or find another contract in the NBA.
Karlo Matkovic | C | New Orleans Pelicans
Credit AP-Scanpix
Having arrived in the NBA in February 2024, Croatian big man Karlo Matkovic has not yet found much playing time with the New Orleans Pelicans.
At the end of the season, his future could be far from New Orleans. The Pelicans will have a $2.2 million team option to decide whether or not to exercise.
This season, Matkovic is averaging 5 points and 3.2 rebounds in 12 minutes per game.
If the Croatian player becomes a free agent in the summer, he could become a very intriguing opportunity for the European market.
Matkovic is only 24 years old and has already proven in the EuroCup that he can be an excellent presence under the basket.
Tristan Vukcevic | F | Washington Wizards
Credit Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports - Scanpix
Tristan Vukcevic arrived in the NBA at the end of the 2023-24 season and has been under contract with the Washington Wizards on a two-way deal for the past two years.
This type of contract limits the player to no more than 50 regular season games.
Washington is in a rebuilding phase, and Vukcevic's profile as a young player still in development fits the team's philosophy.
At the end of the season, however, the young Serbian player will become a free agent and will have to decide whether to remain in the NBA with a limited role or return to Europe to pursue a broader role with greater responsibilities.
In Europe, there is no shortage of admirers of the Serbian player, but much will depend on Vukcevic's wishes.
Orazio Cauchi
Orazio Cauchi started his career in basketball at 21, having worked for several years at Sportando as the lead writer of the website. He also covered several live events, including the Euroleague Final Four, Italian Cups, Serie A league finals, and EuroBasket. He also contributed to American media, such as LibertyBallers and Def Pen Hoops. Cauchi joined BasketNews in 2021 as a Staff Writer. Holds a degree in Politics & International Relations.
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