Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas arrived at the Denver Nuggets last summer as a significant addition.
The idea was for him to serve as a true backup for Nikola Jokic, allowing the NBA’s best player to rest for around ten minutes per game.
In Colorado, they stated that they had not had such a type of center since DeMarcus Cousins, and that they specifically needed a player like that, although they quickly moved away from the idea that Valanciunas would be a key part of the 2023 NBA champions’ rotation.
Last summer, they battled with Panathinaikos for his signature, or more precisely, they did not allow him to move to the Athens club, which had prepared a three-year, 10,000,000 euro offer.
New York Knicks rewrite NBA playoff history with record-breaking NET rating run
He was called back to the United States, so the Lithuanian did not have a choice and spent the previous season with the Denver Nuggets. Now he hopes they will allow him to leave Colorado and return to Europe.
He has a team option for the next season worth 10,000,000 dollars, and if the Nuggets release him, specifically if they waive him before July 8, the Lithuanian center would receive 2,000,000 dollars in compensation.
As things stand, Denver is heading into a roster rebuild, and according to team president Josh Kroenke, everyone can be traded except Nikola Jokic. Because of that, the Nuggets will almost certainly look for a new starting center, meaning they are likely to let Valanciunas continue his career elsewhere, possibly in Europe.
The Lithuanian is also hoping for that outcome, although he will not force an exit at any cost, but clearly hopes his contract will not be extended.
🏆 Five seasons, five different EuroLeague champions.
— Basketball Sphere (@BSphere_) May 25, 2026
Anadolu Efes, Real Madrid, Panathinaikos, Fenerbahce… and now Olympiacos have also won the EuroLeague title this season, continuing the streak of different champions. 🔥
Will we see another new team on top of Europe in the… pic.twitter.com/5aDOgdHKKc
He has already been in talks with European clubs, and may even return to his home country.
“Many have paid attention to me, they have contacted me. There were talks with two teams and one Lithuanian club. The conversations are ongoing, and we will make a decision when the time comes because Denver has the final say on my contract.
First of all, everything depends on whether they trade me, keep me, or not. That is their decision. Right now I think their bigger question is what they will do with the roster in general, who stays and who leaves. As far as I understand, only Nikola Jokic is untouchable, while everyone else can be traded.” he said on the show “PIKENROLAS”.
Dwyane Wade: Victor Wembanyama is in the same echelon as Michael Jordan and LeBron James
He expects a final decision from Denver soon.
“I think everything will be clear in the first week of July, maybe even earlier. I want to play, I want to enjoy basketball, and I want to win. I can do everything.
My heart is in basketball, not in a specific city or team. We will see which situation gives me the best chance, I want to win. I have to win. I want to win. I want to win titles, so I want to put myself in the best possible position to do that.” he concluded.
This season, the Lithuanian played 65 games in the NBA regular season, averaging 8.7 points and 5.1 rebounds in just over 13 minutes per game.
