Image Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images

Denver Nuggets Officially Trade Dario Saric to Sacramento Kings in Order to Sign Jonas Valanciunas

Jonas Valanciunas averaged 8.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game for the Kings in the 2024-25 season.

Image Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images

The Denver Nuggets made Dario Saric’s trade to the Sacramento Kings official on Sunday. Notably, the Nuggets moved Saric to the Kings in exchange for Jonas Valanciunas. The trade was initially reported on July 1 and was closely monitored after the rumors of Valanciunas was attempting to stay away from the NBA after getting an offer from Greece’s Panathinaikos. However, per ESPN, the Nuggets expect Valanciunas to honor the NBA contract which has two years and almost $20 million remaining on it.

We have acquired Jonas Valančiūnas from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Dario Šarić pic.twitter.com/bgohjQOTeh
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) July 13, 2025

The 33-year-old moved to the Washington Wizards before the 2024-25 season in a three-year $30 million contract. However, in February 2025, he was traded to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for two second-round draft picks and forward Sidy Cissoko. He averaged 11.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game for the Wizards and recorded an average of 8.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game for the Kings in the 2024-25 season.

No Update on Jonas Valanciunas’ Situation Despite Official Announcement

While the trade has been made official by the Denver Nuggets, there is still no confirmation if things have been smoothed out between both the parties. Earlier, when he was in Athens, meeting with Panathinaikos, Valanciunas gave a cryptic answer about his future in the league. Since then, several things have been said and while the whole situation still lacks clarity, the Nuggets are executing things as if the Lithuanian will play a key bench role the next season.

However, with rumors doing rounds that he wants to leave the NBA, might cause a big problem for the Nuggets, who would want all the players on the roster to have one focus- winning. Fans and fraternity remain optimistic that the Nuggets would be able to convince him to get on the board. The No. 5 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft has averaged a near double-double for his career and will definitely provide a spark off the bench. Not only this, but he might also get a few chances to suit up alongside Nikola Jokic the next season.

Denver Nuggets

Jonas Valanciunas

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.