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Jonas Valanciunas’ potential signing with Panathinaikos came surprisingly close to reality. Reports emerged in early July that the Greek giants were offering a lucrative three-year contract – a major commitment to a veteran with proven NBA credentials and deep European ties.

To accept, however, the Lithuanian big man would have needed to secure a buyout from his newly inherited NBA contract and receive clearance from FIBA.

The Nuggets made their stance clear – no buyout was forthcoming. The only alternative would have been for Valanciunas to refuse to report, a risky move that could have cost him both money and goodwill.

Instead, he chose professionalism.

“Now that Denver has made their decision to keep me,” he stated, “I want to clear the air.”

That decision, for now, keeps him in the NBA – but his words suggest Europe may still be on the horizon in the years ahead.

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