The Denver Nuggets are determined to keep Jonas Valanciunas after getting him via trade from the Sacramento Kings. If Valanciunas doesn't agree to a buyout with the Nuggets, he won't be able to sign for the EuroLeague powerhouse Panathinaikos Athens.
The Denver Nuggets are not willing to let Jonas Valanciunas go easily.
Jonas Valančiūnas
Jonas Valančiūnas
Jonas Valančiūnas
MIN: 18.7
PTS: 10.33 (61.89%)
REB: 7.66
As: 2
ST: 0.45
BL: 0.59
TO: 1.45
GM: 82
According to Marc Stein, the Nuggets will go ahead with the trade for Valanciunas and are determined to keep the 33-year-old Lithuanian.
Valanciunas arrived in Athens on Friday to undergo medicals after receiving a 3-year, €12 million offer from Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens.
As Stein notes, Valanciunas won't be able to finalize his move to Panathinaikos unless he agrees to a buyout with Denver.
Valanciunas has a $10.4 million contract for the 2025-26 NBA season. The contract also 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.
However, the offer from Panathinaikos presented Valanciunas a different kind of opportunity — long-term stability, a major role, and a team built to contend for the EuroLeague title.
Valanciunas spent thirteen seasons in the NBA.
Throughout his career with the Toronto Raptors, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, Washington Wizards, and Sacramento Kings, the Lithuanian big man averaged 13.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 25 minutes per game.
Like what we are doing? Support us by becoming BN+ member.