The Jonas Valanciunas–Dario Saric trade has been officially finalized, with the Kings acquiring Saric and the Nuggets landing Valanciunas.
The Jonas Valanciunas–Dario Saric trade is now official, marking the final NBA deal to be confirmed since the league's trade moratorium lifted on July 6.
3-pointers this season
Sacramento Kings
NBA
After Valanciunas' trade to the Denver Nuggets went public, Donatas Urbonas and Karolis Tiskevicius of BasketNews reported that JV was considering signing with EuroLeague powerhouse Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens.
The Greek club offered him a three-year contract worth €12 million net (approximately $13 million), and the Lithuanian center had even traveled to Athens last Friday to undergo medical tests—signaling serious intent to return to Europe.
But according to the latest information by ESPN's Shams Charania, the Nuggets made it clear they acquired Valanciunas with the intention of keeping him.
The 2023 NBA champs view the 33-year-old veteran as an important part of their rotation moving forward.
"Once the trade is finalized, we'll put together the plan for the trip to Denver," Valanciunas recently told BasketNews. "The team will outline how they see the situation, medicals, and all the details. That part is up to them."
When asked if he'll be suiting up for the Nuggets next season, Valanciunas replied with a smile:
"You can say whatever you want — people have already said plenty. The whole thing blew up like a bubble."
Valanciunas is currently on a three-year, $30.3 million contract that he originally signed with the Washington Wizards in 2024. The first two years are fully guaranteed, while the third year (2026–27) is a team option worth roughly $10 million.
Credit AP - Scanpix
Valanciunas began the 2024–25 season with the Wizards before being traded to the Sacramento Kings for forward Sidy Cissoko and two second-round picks (2028 and 2029).
He averaged 10.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 18.8 minutes across 81 games last season.
A 13-year NBA veteran, Valanciunas has played for the Toronto Raptors, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, Washington Wizards, and Sacramento Kings.
Now, he officially joins Denver as a Nikola Jokic backup.
Saric, meanwhile, exercised his $5.4 million player option for the 2025–26 season. He appeared in 16 games for the Nuggets last season, averaging 3.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 13 minutes per game.
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