By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Donatas Motiejunas has formally joined PAOK. Confirming a recent Eurohoops report, a one-year deal was announced on Sunday.
The 36-year-old big brings serious size and experience to Thessaloniki. This is a massive signing for PAOK. The club has high ambitions for the ongoing 2026–27 season and campaigns beyond. Landing a player of this caliber shifts their momentum entirely.
Standing 2.13 meters tall, the Lithuanian center arrived in Thessaloniki on Thursday afternoon. He passed his medical exams and signed his contract through the end of the season. He is now set to work under head coach Andrea Trinchieri. The Kaunas native joins Cedi Osman and Nick Calathes on a heavily upgraded roster.
Motiejunas was drafted in the NBA with the 20th pick in 2011. He spent six seasons in the league, playing 262 games for the Houston Rockets, New Orleans Pelicans, and San Antonio Spurs.
Before moving to the United States, the seven-footer won titles with Zalgiris and Asseco Prokom. Later, he played in China and spent four seasons with AS Monaco, capturing several more titles. Last year, he played for Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet. In total, he has 187 EuroLeague appearances under his belt.
PAOK needs firepower in the paint to chase the BKT EuroCup trophy. A title would secure them a ticket to the EuroLeague next season. Currently, they sit at 1–0 in Group D of the Regular Season. Interestingly, this move brings Motiejunas back to a league he last played in with Benetton Treviso between 2009 and 2011, where he actually faced his new team in 2010.
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