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Denver Nuggets desperately trying to convince recent acquisition to not leave them for Euroleague

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Aaditya Krishnamurthy | Last updated Jul 4, 2025 8:11 AM ET

The Denver Nuggets thought they had addressed a key roster concern, but their new star might be looking to leave.

The Denver Nuggets have been making a lot of big moves during the offseason. After a disappointing season where Nikola Jokic carried them, they knew they had to make some changes.

So far, the Nuggets are one of the biggest winners in free agency, having made some brilliant moves. But it isn’t just their free-agent signings that make the team strong.

The Nuggets traded Michael Porter Jr. for Cam Johnson, landing a significant upgrade ahead of the new season.

But it was another trade that strengthened their side, as the Nuggets landed Jonas Valanciunas as a backup for Nikola Jokic.

Valanciunas was a long-needed second option for the position. But it appears the team might lose Jonas Valanciunas, as he contemplates an offer from the Euroleague.

Photo by Tyler McFarland/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images

Denver Nuggets hoping Jonas Valanciunas rejects Euroleague offer

According to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, the Denver Nuggets could be set to lose Jonas Valanciunas, who is contemplating leaving them.

Valanciunas has a three-year, €12 million offer from Panathinaikos. But the Nuggets are doing their best to convince him to stay.

“The Nuggets are trying to convince Valančiūnas to back off on that stance after arranging their trade with the Kings to acquire the rugged Lithuanian center to back up three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić.

“Valančiūnas can’t just walk away from his NBA contract to sign with Greek giants Panathinaikos without the Nuggets surrendering his FIBA Letter of Clearance to sign elsewhere.

“But it seems unlikely that Denver would force the 33-year-old to stay in the NBA if he is willing to forfeit his $10.4 million NBA salary for next season.

“Valančiūnas has a reported three-year offer from Panathinaikos on the table valued at 12 million Euros after playing in the NBA for the past 13 seasons.”

Jonas Valanciunas leaving would leave no decent options for Nikola Jokic backup

Should Valanciunas choose to leave the Denver Nuggets, that puts them in a very difficult position. Unless they make some sort of trade, the Nuggets will have no decent center options.

Even if they try to make some sort of trade, the Nuggets would have to give up some assets and land a center from another team.

With their moves over the last few days, they have very few tradeable assets and would have to give up a key rotation piece just to land another center.

Hopefully, the Nuggets can convince the Lithuanian big man to stay with them with the promise of competing for an NBA championship.

Because if not, the Nuggets might have to rely on Nikola Jokic to play big minutes for another consecutive year.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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