According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Denver Nuggets are not in a position to allow veteran center Jonas Valanciunas to leave for an opportunity overseas, specifically in Europe, due to their lack of viable alternatives in the current free agent market.
Speaking with Adam Mares of DNVR Sports, Stein emphasized that the Nuggets’ hands are tied when it comes to the big man because they simply don’t have a fallback plan at the position.
“Denver can’t afford to let Jonas Valanciunas out of his contract to play in Europe due to a lack of other options on the free agent market,” Stein explained during the conversation.
“The other 29 teams are operating under the strong belief that Al Horford will end up going to Golden State,” he added, referring to the widespread expectation that the veteran big man is likely bound for the Warriors.
With Horford seemingly off the table and few quality big men remaining unsigned, the Nuggets appear stuck.
“They don’t have someone to pivot to,” Stein said. “They don’t have a shot at Horford.”
In essence, Denver’s desire to keep Valanciunas is less about him being a perfect fit and more about the urgent need to hold on to a capable center in a market with extremely limited alternatives.
Nuggets Notes: Jokic, Valanciunas, Holmes, Jones https://t.co/HiHc4ENAVN pic.twitter.com/Fh1BtlbEGk
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) July 13, 2025
