The Denver Nuggets have made it clear to Jonas Valanciunas and his camp that they expect him to fulfill the terms of his NBA contract and suit up for the team this upcoming season.
This comes after Valanciunas reportedly held a meeting over the weekend with Greek club Panathinaikos, who have offered him a lucrative three-year deal worth $12 million to play in the EuroLeague.
The big man is being traded to Denver from the Sacramento Kings in a deal that will send forward Dario Saric the other way.
The Nuggets view Valanciunas as a strong fit for their roster – particularly as a reliable backup for star center Nikola Jokic, a role that has proven difficult for Denver to fill in recent seasons.
Financially, Valanciunas is under contract for $10.4 million for the 2025–26 season, with the following year (2026–27) being a non-guaranteed $10 million option.
While it remains uncertain whether the Nuggets plan to retain him beyond this season, they are firm in their stance that Valanciunas is expected to report to Denver and be part of the team for the coming year.
Nuggets Inform Jonas Valanciunas They Intend For Him To Honor Contract https://t.co/dceM3egsYz
— RealGM (@RealGM) July 6, 2025
