Vlatko Cancar leaves NBA

Jul 4, 2025 2:09 PM

Slovenian forward Vlatko Cancar has officially announced that his time with the Denver Nuggets has come to an end.

During an appearance on the DNVR Nuggets podcast, Cancar revealed that he will be continuing his basketball career overseas, having signed with Italian powerhouse Olimpia Milano for the upcoming season.

After spending the past six seasons in Denver, the player said the Nuggets informed him early in free agency that they would not be offering him a new contract.

The decision effectively closed the door on his NBA tenure, at least for the time being.

“They told me right away when free agency opened that they wouldn’t be bringing me back,” he explained. “And almost immediately after that, Milano reached out. It felt like the right opportunity for me.”

The 28-year-old forward saw limited action last season, having spent most of the year recovering from a torn ACL he suffered during international play in the summer of 2023.

Though he returned late in the year, his role on the court was minimal. Still, Cancar remained a well-liked presence in the Nuggets locker room.

Over six seasons with the Nuggets, Cancar appeared in 143 regular season games, often providing a spark off the bench with his hustle, shooting, and versatility.

While he never held a major role in the rotation, he was part of Denver’s 2023 NBA championship roster and was valued for his professionalism and team-first attitude.

The move to Olimpia Milano represents a fresh chapter for the Slovenian forward, who will now join one of Europe’s most prestigious clubs.

Milano competes in both the Italian Lega Basket Serie A and the EuroLeague, giving Cancar the chance to play a significant role on a major continental stage.

“I’m excited for this new challenge,” he said. “It’s a great team with a lot of tradition, and I’m ready to get back on the court and help them win.”

While Cancar’s time in the NBA may be over for now, his move overseas provides an opportunity to rebuild his career and perhaps return to the league in the future with more experience and confidence under his belt.