The Denver Nuggets received unfortunate news on Thursday afternoon.
According to a credible source, the franchise’s newly acquired center could leave Denver for Europe in an unexpected plot twist.
“Jonas Valanciunas is preparing to close the NBA chapter of his career,” BasketNews’ Donatas Urbonas and Karolis Tiškevičius reported Thursday. “The 33-year-old Lithuanian is close to accepting an offer from Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos Athens.”
“BasketNews sources indicate that the Lithuanian national team center was lured by Panathinaikos’ three-year offer worth nearly €12 million net (approximately $13 million).”
“Valanciunas’ current NBA contract was only guaranteed through the 2025–26 season, during which the Denver Nuggets would pay him $10.4 million gross.”
“However, the deal includes a team option for 2026–27 worth $10 million, which the Nuggets can choose to exercise or decline next summer. Valanciunas was initially pleased with the trade to Denver, seeing it as a chance to contribute to a championship contender’s rotation.”
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On Tuesday, the Nuggets traded Dario Saric, who hasn’t been a pivotal rotational player for Denver, to the Kings for Valanciunas.
The move was designed to provide Nikola Jokic with satisfactory frontcourt assistance, considering he’s the only skilled big man on the organization’s roster.
Valanciunas averaged 10.4 points and 7.7 rebounds with the Kings and Washington Wizards last year as a traditional back-to-the-basket low post threat, shooting 55.0% from the field.
From the looks of it, the Nuggets will likely have to pivot to another competent center to help Jokic during the 2025-26 campaign.
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