While Panathinaikos offered familiarity and proximity to home, center Jonas Valanciunas opted to stay in Denver with a clear mission: to compete for a championship.
“I am fully committed to honoring my contract with the Nuggets this season and will give it my all to compete for a championship,” the Lithuanian big man told BasketNews.com.
At 33, Valanciunas understands the window for a title run is closing. In Denver, he finds himself in an ideal scenario – backing up the league’s best center in Nikola Jokic, on a team built for deep playoff runs.
It’s a gamble in some ways, as the EuroLeague offer likely came with more long-term financial security and star billing. But for a player chasing a ring, Denver offered something no European club could.
Jonas Valanciunas 'Fully Committed' To Honoring Nuggets Contract https://t.co/Tze3fCRI5r pic.twitter.com/AE0oTRKzHo
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) July 21, 2025
