Credit: AP/Scanpix nuotr.
Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas spoke about his intentions regarding a possible return to Europe and his future with the national team following the tempting offer he received from Panathinaikos last summer.
As intimidating as he looks as a big man at 6'11", Valanciunas seems to enjoy creating intrigue—and uncomfortable silences—for those unfamiliar with his dry sarcasm.
In interviews, he will stare straight at a reporter without blinking, turn serious, and deliver a blunt, striking answer. Only at the end will he soften his tone and hint at a smile, as he did after suffering a muscle injury last Wednesday.
Jonas Valanciunas provides his injury update
"I got injured, not good, brother. What am I going to say? Am I happy? No, I'm f***ing injured," the Nuggets center told BasketNews in the locker room, fresh off a right calf strain that will sideline him for at least four weeks.
Valanciunas has also displayed that same ironic touch when discussing a potential return to Europe a year and a half ago.
At the time, he was asked about FC Barcelona as a possible destination, where his friend and former Pelicans teammate Willy Hernangomez now plays.
"I can't do that to my guy, Willy. I can't take his place. I won't be there [in Barca]. I'm a good guy, and I don't want to hurt him," he said.
Credit Credit Image – Scanpix
In reality, however, Valanciunas came close to returning to Europe last summer, not to Barcelona, but to Athens—in what would have been an uncomfortable irony for the world's most prestigious league.
A European club was on the verge of luring away a player from an NBA contender, offering the chance to be part of the same roster as the best player in the world.
Valanciunas arrived in Denver at the start of free agency after the Nuggets traded for him, sending Croatian center Dario Saric to the Sacramento Kings.
The Utena native had two years and $20.8 million remaining on his contract, and Denver saw him as the ideal backup center for Nikola Jokic.
Panathinaikos' serious push for Jonas Valanciunas
Panathinaikos, however, tried to disrupt Denver's plans by offering Valanciunas a three-year, €12 million net deal.
Although he described the Greek club's interest as "exciting," Valanciunas ultimately chose to commit to the Nuggets.
The center addressed his short-term plans when asked how Denver convinced him to stay instead of returning to Europe.
Jonas Valanciunas addresses his future in the NBA
"My plan is to be here all season, my plan is to play for Denver. What happened happened, there were a lot of talks, but now I'm here. I'm proud to represent Denver, so that's all," Valanciunas told BasketNews after the game against the Raptors, in which he exited late in the third quarter due to his calf injury.
The 33-year-old did not want to expand much on his long-term future, which remains uncertain.
The final year of his contract, the 2026-27 season, is not guaranteed and will only become fully guaranteed on July 8, 2026.
Credit Imagn/Scanpix
Valanciunas ultimately avoided what could have become one of the strangest stories in the NBA: a player leaving an NBA title contender and the opportunity to back up a three-time MVP like Nikola Jokic.
Still, Denver will be without the Lithuanian when it needs him most, as Jokic is also expected to miss roughly the same one-month period.
Learning from Nikola Jokic up close
Valanciunas briefly reflected on the experience of playing alongside Jokic after spending more than a decade battling him as an opponent.
"Well, he is one of the greatest ever done. His IQ is tremendous, he is fun to watch, it's unbelievable what he does," he said.
While no one can truly be compared to Jokic at the moment, Valanciunas has earned his role as the primary backup for the best player in the world through his evolution into a more versatile center.
The Baltic big man has developed into a capable passer and shooter, though his three-point shooting has been a weakness in recent seasons.
He has shot 25% from beyond the arc and is attempting just 0.4 threes per game this season.
Shooting has been the main limitation so far, as Valanciunas has otherwise performed well.
He is averaging 8.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists while shooting 59% from the field. Nuggets head coach David Adelman praised the veteran center.
"We know what Jonas is. We can load him up in the post; he is a big-body offensive rebounder. He's been in this league a long time. I have all the respect for people in this league. What he did in Toronto—the guy has a history across the league," Adelman said.
Valanciunas is in his 14th NBA season, having previously played for the Raptors, Grizzlies, Pelicans, Wizards, and Kings before joining Denver.
Summer with Lithuania remains uncertain
Valanciunas also discussed his short-term plans with the Lithuanian national team in an interview with BasketNews.
His commitment to the national program has remained unwavering throughout his NBA career, as he has not missed a major international tournament since 2011.
Still, he left his participation in the 2027 World Cup qualifiers this summer uncertain.
"We'll see, we'll see what's gonna happen. Now I'm not playing, so we'll see. Summer is way ahead, man," said Valanciunas, who led Lithuania at the most recent EuroBasket alongside Rokas Jokubaitis, averaging 15.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game.
Credit FIBA
Valanciunas is not the only veteran whose availability is in question. Domantas Sabonis is currently recovering from a partial meniscus tear after missing EuroBasket.
Nevertheless, both centers have seen Lithuanian talent flourishing in the NBA and overseas.
Matas Buzelis, who has committed to representing Lithuania, is emerging as a key young player for the Chicago Bulls' present and future.
Meanwhile, Miami Heat rookie Kasparas Jakucionis has already earned minutes in Erik Spoelstra's demanding rotation.
Toni Canyameras
Toni Canyameras began his basketball media career in 2021, covering FC Barcelona. He became a fan of the sport thanks to Barça and the Japanese manga series Slam Dunk. Toni moved to Toronto in 2022 and has since been covering the NBA from a European perspective, reporting on games, All-Star weekends, and the Summer League. He holds a degree in Journalism, a Master's Degree in Sports Journalism in Spain, and a Postgraduate in Journalism in Canada.
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