The Denver Nuggets do not intend to negotiate a buyout with Jonas Valanciunas, preventing him from joining the EuroLeague powerhouse Panathinaikos Athens. Nuggets are also optimistic that the 33-year-old will play for Denver next season.
The Denver Nuggets remain firm in their stance regarding Jonas Valanciunas' future, and all signs indicate that the Lithuanian center will stay in the NBA.
In his latest column, NBA insider Marc Stein reports that behind the scenes, the Nuggets are signaling to Valanciunas that they do not intend to let him out of his NBA contract.
On top of that, Stein adds that Denver is determined to enforce Valanciunas' contract and remains optimistic that the 33-year-old will play for the Nuggets next season.
The Lithuanian center won't be able to finalize his move to Panathinaikos unless he agrees to a buyout with Denver.
Valanciunas arrived in Athens on Friday to undergo medicals after receiving a 3-year, €12 million net (approximately $13 million) offer from the EuroLeague and Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens.
The current Valanciunas' NBA contract is guaranteed through the 2025–26 season, during which the Nuggets would pay him $10.4 million gross.
The deal also includes a team option for 2026–27 worth $10 million, which Denver can choose to exercise or decline next summer.
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.
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