Jonas Valanciunas Commits to Denver Nuggets
In an important update regarding his playing future, Jonas Valanciunas has officially stated that he will honor his contract with the Denver Nuggets for the upcoming NBA season. This announcement comes amidst considerable interest from the EuroLeague’s Panathinaikos, which was eager to bring the Lithuanian center back to Europe.
Trade and Speculation
The Nuggets acquired Valanciunas from the Sacramento Kings in a trade executed earlier this month, leading to speculation about his commitment as it became clear that Panathinaikos was trying to persuade him to join their roster. Valanciunas, who stands at 6-foot-11 and has a contract that guarantees him around $10 million for the upcoming year, expressed his enthusiasm for remaining with Denver, emphasizing his desire to compete for a championship.
“I want to clear the air about my playing situation next season now that Denver has made their decision to keep me. The idea of playing for Panathinaikos, closer to home, was very exciting to me, but that will have to wait. I am fully committed to honoring my contract with the Nuggets this season and will give it my all to compete for a championship,” he communicated to BasketNews on Monday.
Team Integration and Future Plans
This is Valanciunas’s first public comment addressing the situation since the trade, following a statement from the Nuggets’ executive vice president of basketball operations, Ben Tenzer, who reassured fans that there were “no concerns” regarding Valanciunas’s integration into the team.
“There’s been nothing but healthy conversations in terms of him honoring his contract and him excited to be a Nugget,” Tenzer noted.
The acquisition of the 33-year-old Valanciunas is seen as a key addition during a transformative offseason for the Nuggets, particularly following their exit in the second round of the playoffs against the eventual NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder. Along with Valanciunas, the Nuggets also acquired Cam Johnson in exchange for Michael Porter Jr., who played a significant role in their championship journey during 2023. Additionally, they added former champion Bruce Brown and shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. to bolster their roster.
Looking Ahead
As Valanciunas prepares to represent Lithuania in the FIBA EuroBasket this summer, there could be further dialogue between him and the Nuggets’ management about his transition to the team. Jonathan Wallace, another front-office executive, mentioned, “Their plan is for him to get here sooner than later, but still working through that.”
During the last NBA season, which included stints with both Washington and Sacramento, Valanciunas averaged 10.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2 assists over 81 games. The Nuggets are looking forward to utilizing him strategically to allow star player Nikola Jokic—who played a career-high 36.7 minutes per game last season—to rest during games, further strengthening their championship aspirations this year.
