UPDATE: The Denver Nuggets confirm that center Jonas Valanciunas is set to join the team as they gear up for the upcoming NBA season. Following a trade with the Sacramento Kings that officially took place last weekend, the Nuggets are excited about the addition of the 6-foot-11 center, who is anticipated to provide much-needed support for superstar Nikola Jokic.
Nuggets executive vice president of basketball operations Ben Tenzer addressed recent speculation regarding Valanciunas’ future during a press conference on September 15, 2023. Amid rumors of interest from the Greek EuroLeague club Panathinaikos, Tenzer reassured fans that Valanciunas is committed to honoring his existing NBA contract, which is worth over $20 million over the next two years. “There’s been nothing but healthy conversations in terms of him honoring his contract and him excited to be a Nugget,” Tenzer stated.
The Nuggets have been active this offseason, especially after a disappointing Game 7 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the playoffs. The team has reshuffled its roster, trading Michael Porter Jr. to Brooklyn for Cam Johnson, and adding key players like Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. to strengthen their championship ambitions.
Valanciunas, 33, is coming off a season where he averaged 10.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2 assists across 81 games split between Washington and Sacramento. Denver is counting on him to relieve Jokic, who logged a career-high 36.7 minutes per game last season.
The Nuggets are planning for Valanciunas to arrive sooner rather than later, with potential discussions about his participation in the upcoming FIBA EuroBasket tournament for Lithuania. “Their plan is for him to get here sooner than later, but still working through that,” said Jonathan Wallace, Nuggets’ front office member.
Fans can expect Valanciunas to play a crucial role as the Nuggets prepare for training camp, with the team aiming to reclaim their status as championship contenders. With significant changes on the roster, the excitement around Valanciunas joining the Nuggets adds a fresh dynamic to the squad as they look forward to the season’s opening.
This is a developing story, and more updates will follow as the Nuggets finalize their preparations. Stay tuned for the latest news and developments regarding the Denver Nuggets and their new roster.
