It was reported earlier this week that Jonas Valanciunas would be traded to the Denver Nuggets. But the 33-year-old center might not ever play with Nikola Jokic and company, as he is apparently mulling a move to Greece to play in the EuroLeague instead.
How Will The Denver Nuggets Handle The Jonas Valanciunas Situation?
According to multiple reports, Valanciunas is traveling to Greece this weekend. He has received what is described as a lucrative offer from Panathinaikos to take his talents back to Europe, and is hoping that the Nuggets will release him from his NBA contract when the trade is made official on Sunday, July 6th.
What would it mean for the Nuggets?
For starters, they would be in immediate need for a backup center. The role was manned mostly by DeAndre Jordan last season, who averaged 3.7 points in 12.3 minutes per game in relief of Jokic. With his contract expiring and Denver looking to get stronger at the position, the team brought in Valanciunas, who would be a nice upgrade over Jordan and could allow a bit more rest for Jokic at certain points.
Looks like Jonas Valančiūnas won't play for the Nuggets this upcoming season and will take his talents overseas. 😔 pic.twitter.com/KC7wrwQOwH
— theScore (@theScore) July 4, 2025
It would be a tough blow for the Nuggets, who have been shifting their roster in free agency. The Valanciunas acquisition, along with those of Cameron Johnson and Bruce Brown Jr., had put Denver back into title consideration after a second-round exit in 2025.
They still have time to pivot and add a backup center, and they’re getting a small consolation from the situation to help them do so.
If Valanciunas’ plan works out and he is released from his contract, then the Nuggets would gain access to their full MLE, or mid-level exception. That would provide both roster and financial flexibility, which they could use to fill the role that Valanciunas was supposed to play.
Jonas Valančiūnas is nearing a move to Panathinaikos, signaling a potential departure from the NBA, per @BasketNews_com pic.twitter.com/4liSLw57y1
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 3, 2025
There are still big question marks surrounding the entire situation. Will the Nuggets back out of the deal before it is completed on Sunday? If they don’t, are they going to adhere to all of the player’s wishes in order to allow him to head to Greece?
Jonas Valanciunas started the 2024-25 NBA season as a member of the Washington Wizards. He was traded to the Sacramento Kings at the deadline in February, and averaged 8.7 points and 7 rebounds in 16.9 minutes per game during the final 2+ months of the regular season.
