The Denver Nuggets recently agreed to acquire Jonas Valanciunas in exchange for Dario Šarić, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania. However, Valanciunas is reportedly considering skipping the upcoming NBA season to pursue a more financially rewarding contract in Europe. This potential move centers on a buyout from his NBA deal in order to join Greek club Panathinaikos.
NBA insider Marc Stein highlighted that Valanciunas’ interest in playing in Europe remains strong, leaving the Nuggets with uncertainty over whether he will commit to the NBA for the upcoming season. Stein also pointed out that the trade cannot be finalized until Sunday due to salary cap considerations, with the Kings still requiring the transaction to go through.
“The Kings still need the trade to go through for salary cap reasons, but the Nuggets’ ability to convince Valanciunas to stay in the NBA is TBD,”
Stein said.
Valanciunas’ NBA Career and Recent Performance
Jonas Valanciunas began his NBA career in the 2012-13 season and has since played for multiple teams including the Toronto Raptors, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, Washington Wizards, and Sacramento Kings. At his peak with Memphis between 2018 and 2021, he was a consistent double-double performer, averaging 16.4 points and 11.7 rebounds per game while shooting 58.1 percent from the field.
In the 2024-25 season, his production dipped slightly but remained solid. Playing for both the Wizards and Kings, Valanciunas averaged 10.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, and shot 55 percent from the field during his age-32 campaign. His veteran presence had been seen as a potential boost for Denver’s frontcourt depth.
Denver Nuggets’ Roster Moves and Frontcourt Plans
The acquisition of Valanciunas is part of a busy offseason for the Nuggets, who have also added Cam Johnson, Bruce Brown, and Tim Hardaway Jr. while sending Michael Porter Jr. to another team. Last season, bench production was a challenge for Denver, so these moves aim to strengthen their depth and solidify their status as championship contenders.
From Denver’s perspective, Valanciunas could provide valuable veteran support behind star center Nikola Jokić. His experience in the grueling Western Conference playoff battles could help ease Jokić’s workload during the postseason. However, if Valanciunas opts to play in Europe after securing a buyout, Denver’s frontcourt depth would once again become an issue.
Implications of Valanciunas’ Potential European Move
Valanciunas’ possible decision to leave the NBA for a Europe contract presents a significant development for both the player and the Nuggets. While the financial incentives abroad are clearly drawing his interest, the move would leave Denver needing to adjust its roster plans quickly. This uncertainty could influence how the team approaches its remaining offseason transactions and prepare for the next NBA campaign without a key veteran presence in the frontcourt.