UPDATE: The Denver Nuggets have officially acquired center Jonas Valanciunas in a trade with the Sacramento Kings, and he is expected to be with the team at the start of the upcoming season. Nuggets executive vice president of basketball operations Ben Tenzer confirmed the news today during a press conference, dismissing any speculation regarding Valanciunas’ future in the NBA.
The trade, which exchanged Dario Saric for the 6-foot-11 Valanciunas, became official just last weekend. This move comes amid rumors of Valanciunas being pursued by the Greek EuroLeague club Panathinaikos, creating uncertainty given that he still has two years remaining on his NBA deal valued at over $20 million. Tenzer reassured fans, stating, “There’s been nothing but healthy conversations in terms of him honoring his contract and him excited to be a Nugget.”
Nuggets fans can breathe easy; Tenzer emphasized there are “no concerns” about Valanciunas not being present when the season kicks off. This addition is seen as a crucial step in enhancing the Nuggets’ roster after their disappointing Game 7 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the playoffs last year.
Valanciunas, now 33, is slated to provide valuable support to star player Nikola Jokic, who averaged a career-high 36.7 minutes per game last season. The Nuggets are counting on Valanciunas to give Jokic the occasional breather on the court. Last season, Valanciunas averaged 10.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2 assists over 81 games while splitting time between Washington and Sacramento.
In addition to Valanciunas, the Nuggets have made significant roster changes this offseason, acquiring Tim Hardaway Jr. and retaining Bruce Brown, a key player from their championship run. The front office duo of Tenzer and Jonathan Wallace is committed to enhancing the team’s competitiveness as they aim for another title run.
Valanciunas is currently set to represent Lithuania at the upcoming FIBA EuroBasket tournament this summer, and the Nuggets are planning to monitor his progress. Wallace mentioned, “Their plan is for him to get here sooner than later, but still working through that.”
Fans and analysts are eager to see how Valanciunas will impact the Nuggets’ performance this season. As the basketball world watches closely, Denver is solidifying its position as a contender in the league. Stay tuned for more developments as the season approaches.