DENVER, Colo. — It seems the Denver Nuggets’ stellar free agency period will remain intact.
Jonas Valanciunas, tapped via a trade with Sacramento to back up Nikola Jokic at center – a white-whale depth piece in recent years as Jokic has ascended to stardom – is “fully committed” to honoring his Nuggets contract, according to the latest reporting by the European basketball outlet Basket News.
Valanciunas had famously been courted by the Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos. His reported interest in a multi-year deal to play in Europe had cast a shadow of doubt over his NBA status since Denver acquired him from the Kings for Dario Saric, even as the trade was finalized a week ago.
An NBA departure would have required a buyout that freed him from the two remaining years of his contract.
Alas, Basket News senior writer Donatas Urbonas reported Monday that he had spoken to Valanciunas, who “cleared the air” on the global tug-of-war that his playing status had become:
"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."
Valanciunas is both a more-than-capable scorer and serviceable interior defender the Nuggets have lacked behind Jokic on the depth chart in recent years – a conundrum that led to Jokic playing a career-high 37 minutes per game last season.
He is averaging 13 points and 9 rebounds per game over his 13-year career. Last year, he averaged 10.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2 assists over 81 contests between the Washington Wizards and Sacramento Kings.
Jonas Valanciunas spoke with me to clear the air on the Nuggets and Panathinaikos situation:
— Donatas Urbonas (@Urbodo) July 21, 2025
"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…
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