An NBA champion comes to Europe!

After five seasons with the Denver Nuggets and winning a championship in 2023, Vlatko Cancar (6’5″, 28) returns to Europe. The Slovenian forward has reached an agreement with Olimpia Milan for a two-year contract, according to BasketNews who revealed the negotiations between both parties.

💥🇸🇮 Olimpia Milano is signing NBA forward Vlatko Cancar to a two-year contract, according to Eurohoops sources! pic.twitter.com/d1xwjYZX9K

— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) July 3, 2025

An NBA champion seeking playing time

Having arrived in Colorado in 2019 from Burgos in Spain, two years after being drafted, Vlatko Cancar made Nuggets history by winning the NBA title in 2023. However, the Slovenian international never really found his place in the team’s rotation, being relegated far down in the hierarchy of a championship-contending squad.

During the 2024-2025 season, Cancar only played 13 regular season games, averaging 1.8 points and 2.5 rebounds. Throughout his NBA career, he posted modest statistics with 3 points and 2 rebounds per game in 11 minutes of playing time.

A new challenge in EuroLeague

A smooth forward capable of long-range shooting and thriving in fast-break situations, Vlatko Cancar will discover EuroLeague with Milan and reunite with former NBA players like Nico Mannion and Leandro Bolmaro under Ettore Messina’s leadership. European champion in 2017 alongside Luka Doncic and Goran Dragic, he will have much to prove in his return to Europe, having not played significant minutes since 2023.

Olimpia Milan continues its ambitious recruitment after already signing guard Marko Guduric this summer. The Italian club is also expected to secure the services of point guard Lorenzo Brown to complete its roster for the upcoming EuroLeague season.