The Denver Nuggets are set to finalize a trade that will bring veteran center Jonas Valanciunas to the Mile High City from the Sacramento Kings.
This move comes even as Valanciunas has reportedly drawn serious interest from Panathinaikos, one of Greece’s premier basketball clubs.
Despite the mutual desire between the player and Panathinaikos to strike a deal, Denver is moving forward with acquiring Valanciunas, sending forward Dario Saric to Sacramento in return.
With this acquisition, the Nuggets intend to bolster their frontcourt depth and are making a strong push to retain Valanciunas as Nikola Jokic’s primary backup.
Team sources indicate that Denver is committed to keeping him in the NBA and will not easily grant him a release to pursue an overseas opportunity.
As it stands, Valanciunas cannot join Panathinaikos unless the Nuggets agree to a buyout or release his NBA rights.
There have been reports suggesting that the Lithuanian big man may be willing to forfeit a portion, or potentially all, of his remaining NBA salary to facilitate a move to Europe.
Panathinaikos is believed to have offered him a three-year contract worth approximately $12 million, underscoring their eagerness to bring him aboard.
Still, the situation remains fluid, with Denver holding all the leverage for now as they seek to integrate Valanciunas into their rotation for the upcoming season.
Nuggets Will Complete Jonas Valanciunas Trade; Determined To Keep Valanciunas In Denver https://t.co/gzxTn3leNZ
— RealGM (@RealGM) July 6, 2025
