Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images

Denver Nuggets Clears No Intention of Releasing Jonas Valanciunas to Return to Europe

Valanciunas' current contract runs through the end of the 2026-27 season.

Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images

The Denver Nuggets secured a trade for Sacramento Kings center Jonas Valanciunas last week. The team has now achieved a long-standing NBA goal to secure a reliable backup for Nikola Jokic. However, almost simultaneously, the center reached an agreement with Panathinaikos in Greece. Despite the player’s interest in returning to Europe, the team has made it clear that it does not intend to release him.

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According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Nuggets have already informed the player’s representatives of their intention to keep him on the roster. Valanciunas’ current contract, signed with the Washington Wizards last offseason, runs through the end of the 2026-27 season. Until then, he is owed around $20.3 million.

Denver has informed Jonas Valanciunas' reps that the franchise fully intends to have him honor his contract as the Nuggets view Valanciunas as a critical center addition to back up Nikola Jokic and play alongside him. Greek team Panathinaikos pursued Valanciunas in recent days. https://t.co/a6SGnWFeLh
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 6, 2025

Last season, the Lithuanian averaged 10.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and two assists, playing 81 games for the Wizards and Kings. The center arrived in the NBA in 2011, being the fifth pick in the Draft by the Toronto Raptors. After seven years in Canada, he played for the Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans, where he enjoyed the best moments of his career. Now, at 33 years old, he should be one of the main players on the Denver bench.

Nuggets secure supporting cast overhaul in offseason

During the early days of free agency , the Denver Nuggets made a number of changes to their roster. After taking the eventual champion Oklahoma City Thunder to seven games in the Western Conference semifinals, team executives understood the need to leverage the talent around Jokic and provide depth for newly hired head coach David Adelman.

Then, they agreed on several arrivals. The first was Cameron Johnson , in exchange for Michael Porter Jr. to the Brooklyn Nets. In the free agent market, the Colorado franchise secured the return of Bruce Brown , champion with the Nuggets in 2023, and the signing of experienced shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr.

Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.