The former NBA guard may have moved on from his time with the Miami Heat, but his basketball journey is far from over. Though he last suited up for the Heat during the 2020-21 season, appearing in 56 regular-season games and contributing in four contests during the 2021 NBA Playoffs, his career has taken a new trajectory overseas.
While he is no longer competing in the NBA, he continues to play at an exceptionally high level in international basketball. Currently, he is showcasing his offensive prowess in the EuroLeague, playing for Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos. Throughout the 2024-25 season, Nunn has been a dominant force, averaging an impressive 20.3 points per game while maintaining a solid 40.5 percent shooting accuracy from beyond the arc across 31 games. His stellar performances have made him one of the premier scorers in the European circuit, and his club is preparing to reward him accordingly.
A Historic Contract in European Basketball
According to basketball insider Luca D’Alessandro, Panathinaikos is offering Kendrick Nunn a lucrative contract extension that would make him the highest-paid basketball player on the European continent. This potential deal would further cement Nunn’s status as a marquee player in Europe, ensuring his continued dominance in one of the world’s top professional leagues outside the NBA.
Nunn’s Rise and Fall in the NBA
Nunn’s professional career began in Miami, where he made an immediate impact as an undrafted rookie. During the 2019-20 season, he averaged 15.3 points per game while shooting 43.9 percent from the field, finishing as the runner-up to Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant in the Rookie of the Year voting.
His impressive debut season was followed by a deep playoff run, as he played in 15 postseason games and helped the Heat reach the NBA Finals in the 2020 Playoffs. However, despite his promising start, his time in Miami was short-lived.
After playing just one more season with the Heat, Nunn’s NBA career took an unfortunate turn. A significant injury forced him to miss the entire 2021-22 season after signing with the Los Angeles Lakers. He later had brief stints with both the Lakers and Washington Wizards during the 2022-23 campaign but was unable to secure a long-term role in the league. Since then, he has not played in the NBA, despite once being considered a player with long-term potential in the league.
Will Nunn Ever Return to the NBA?
At this point, there is little indication that Nunn will receive another opportunity to play in the NBA. While his scoring ability remains undeniable, there has been no substantial buzz regarding a potential return to the league. Nevertheless, his overseas success has solidified his reputation as a dominant offensive force, and he has found a new home where he can continue excelling at a high level.
While Heat fans may have once envisioned a lengthy NBA career for Nunn, his path has taken an unexpected detour. However, with a record-breaking contract on the horizon and continued success in Europe, he is proving that his basketball journey is far from over.
Leave a Reply