Career Timeline of Jonas Valančiūnas: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Jonas Valančiūnas made an impact.

Jonas Valančiūnas is a Lithuanian professional basketball player currently playing for the Denver Nuggets in the NBA. Drafted fifth overall by the Toronto Raptors in 2011, he has also played for the Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, Washington Wizards and Sacramento Kings during his NBA career. He is a prominent figure in Lithuanian basketball and a notable presence in the NBA.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2008: Professional Debut with Perlas

In 2008, Valančiūnas began his professional career with Perlas in the Lithuanian National Basketball League (NKL).

January 2009: Signs with Lietuvos Rytas

In January 2009, Valančiūnas signed a long-term contract with Lithuanian powerhouse Lietuvos Rytas.

January 2010: Moved to Lietuvos Rytas

On January 17, 2010, Valančiūnas moved to Lietuvos Rytas.

2010: LKL All-Star Game

In 2010, Valančiūnas participated in his first LKL All-Star Game.

June 2011: Drafted into NBA

On June 23, 2011, Valančiūnas was drafted fifth overall by the Toronto Raptors in the NBA draft.

August 2011: Debut with Lithuania's senior men's national basketball team

On August 6, 2011, Jonas Valančiūnas debuted with Lithuania's senior men's national basketball team. In his debut match against Czech Republic, he scored 26 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.

2011: LKL All-Star Game MVP

During the 2011 LKL All-Star Game, Valančiūnas scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and was named the MVP.

2011: Drafted by the Toronto Raptors

In 2011, Jonas Valančiūnas was drafted fifth overall by the Toronto Raptors in the NBA draft.

2011: LKL Finals Appearance

In 2011, Valančiūnas played in the LKL Finals for the second time with Lietuvos Rytas, losing to Žalgiris 1–4.

July 2012: Signs with the Raptors

On July 18, 2012, Valančiūnas signed with the Toronto Raptors.

October 2012: NBA Debut

On October 31, 2012, Valančiūnas made his NBA debut with the Toronto Raptors against the Indiana Pacers, recording 12 points and 10 rebounds.

2012: LKL Finals Appearance

In 2012, Valančiūnas played in the LKL Finals for the third time with Lietuvos Rytas, losing to Žalgiris 0-3.

2012: MVP in VTB United League, EuroCup Rising Star award

In 2012, Valančiūnas was named February's MVP in the VTB United League and won the EuroCup Rising Star award two months later. He was also named in the All-EuroCup squad, averaging 10.8 ppg, 7.6 rpg and 1.6 bpg.

2012: LKL All-Star Game MVP

In 2012, during the LKL All-Star Game, Valančiūnas led his team to victory with 25 points and 13 rebounds, winning the MVP award once again.

December 2013: Career-high 18 rebounds

On December 27, 2013, Valančiūnas recorded a then career-high 18 rebounds in a 95–83 win over the New York Knicks.

2013: EuroBasket silver medal

In 2013, Valančiūnas won a EuroBasket silver medal as a member of the Lithuania men's national basketball team.

April 2014: Career-high 26 points

On April 9, 2014, Valančiūnas scored a then career-high 26 points in a 125–114 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Two days later, he recorded a then career-high 21 rebounds in a loss to the New York Knicks.

January 2015: Career-high 31 points

On January 31, 2015, Valančiūnas scored a then career-high 31 points in a loss to the Detroit Pistons.

August 2015: Signs contract extension with Raptors

On August 20, 2015, Valančiūnas signed a four-year, $64 million contract extension with the Toronto Raptors.

2015: EuroBasket silver medal and All-Tournament honours

In 2015, Valančiūnas secured another EuroBasket silver medal and earned All-Tournament honors.

March 2016: Helps Raptors record a 50-win season

On March 30, 2016, Valančiūnas helped the Raptors record a 50-win season for the first time in franchise history. On April 1, he recorded 11 points, 14 rebounds and a career-best seven blocks in a win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

October 2016: Career-high 32 points

On October 26, 2016, in the Raptors' season opener, Valančiūnas recorded a then career-high 32 points and 11 rebounds in a win over the Detroit Pistons.

January 2017: Career-high 23 rebounds

On January 10, 2017, Valančiūnas grabbed a then career-high 23 rebounds to go with 18 points in a win over the Boston Celtics.

March 2017: Franchise record for most rebounds in a single period

On March 31, 2017, Valančiūnas made team history in the third quarter of the Raptors' win over the Indiana Pacers. He had 13 of his 17 rebounds during the quarter, setting a franchise mark for most in a single period.

May 2017: Establishment of the Jonas Valančiūnas Foundation

In May 2017, Jonas Valančiūnas established his own charity foundation, the Jonas Valančiūnas Foundation, which is a non-profit organization with an aim to help adolescents with behavioral challenges.

August 2018: Opening of adolescent's day home “Išvien” (United)

In August 2018, Jonas Valančiūnas' foundation opened adolescent's day home “Išvien” (United) to support adolescents with behavioral challenges.

February 2019: Traded to Memphis Grizzlies

On February 7, 2019, Valančiūnas was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Marc Gasol. On February 12, he made his debut for the Grizzlies, recording 23 points and 10 rebounds.

July 2019: Signs three-year contract with the Grizzlies

On July 11, 2019, Valančiūnas signed a reported three-year, $45 million contract with the Grizzlies.

February 2020: Career record in rebounds

On February 28, 2020, Valančiūnas improved his career record by grabbing 25 rebounds. On February 29, 2020, he scored 22 points and grabbed 20 rebounds.

August 2020: Achieves first triple-double

On August 13, 2020, Valančiūnas achieved his career's first triple-double: 26 points, 19 rebounds, 12 assists and led his team to a crucial victory securing chances to play in the 2020 NBA playoffs.

March 2021: Double-Double vs Washington Wizards

In March 2021, Jonas Valančiūnas achieved a double-double with 29 points, 20 rebounds, and 4 blocks in a 127–112 victory over the Washington Wizards. This made him the first player in franchise history to record at least 25 points, 20 rebounds, and 4 blocks in a single game.

August 2021: Trade to New Orleans Pelicans

In August 2021, Jonas Valančiūnas was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Eric Bledsoe, Steven Adams, and a 2022 protected first-round pick.

July 2024: Sign-and-trade agreement with the Washington Wizards

On July 6, 2024, Valančiūnas signed a three-year, $30 million contract as part of a sign-and-trade agreement with the Washington Wizards, with New Orleans acquiring a 2027 protected second-round pick in return.

2024: Second-round draft pick traded

On February 7, 2019, along with Valančiūnas, C. J. Miles, and Delon Wright, a 2024 second-round draft pick was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies.

February 2025: Trade to Sacramento Kings

In February 2025, Jonas Valančiūnas was traded to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for two second-round draft picks (2028, 2029) and forward Sidy Cissoko.

July 2025: Medical evaluations with Panathinaikos in Athens, Greece

In July 2025, prior to the official completion of his trade to the Denver Nuggets, Jonas Valančiūnas traveled to Athens, Greece, to undergo medical evaluations with Panathinaikos, the European powerhouse.