Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images

Denver Nuggets executive says they plotted trade for ‘quite a while’, they have landed ‘perfect fit’

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Aikansh Chaudhary | Last updated Jul 17, 2025 7:06 PM ET

The Denver Nuggets have gone all-in this offseason to extend their championship window around 3x NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.

Following a second-round exit in the 2025 NBA Playoffs, the Denver Nuggets have done well in the offseason. So much so that Jeff Teague has hailed their offseason as the best in the entire league.

Speaking of the moves that the Nuggets made, one of the most discussed trades was acquiring Jonas Valanciunas in exchange for Dario Saric from the Sacramento Kings.

Despite EuroLeague interest in Valanciunas, the Nuggets plan to convince him to honor his deal for the 2025-26 NBA season.

Photo by Kavin Mistry/Getty Images

Ben Tenzer on when the Denver Nuggets ‘registered’ interest in Jonas Valanciunas

While the 33-year-old center has officially become a member of the Nuggets, Panathinaikos continues to approach Valanciunas.

Even with a cloud of uncertainty hovering over the team, Nuggets’ vice president Ben Tenzer recently spoke about trading for Valanciunas in an exclusive interview.

“We registered interest in him. We followed him for quite a while now, and had a lot of interest in him. So he signed last summer in Washington, I believe, at the trade deadline, he was traded to Sacramento.

“At that time, we were deeply involved in discussions potentially to acquire him at the trade deadline,” Tenzer said.

He added: “We felt for a long time that he was a perfect fit with Nikola [Jokic], either a backup or potentially playing with him in certain lineups and just a starting-level player that can just help the entire balance of the team.”

Although Valanciunas is approaching mid-30s, Tenzer has immense trust in him and wants the Nuggets to try various strategies with him and Nikola Jokic on the floor.

Sacramento Kings traded Jonas Valanciunas to ‘save some money’

Considering Valanciunas played in just 32 games last season with the Kings after being traded to the team last season, it was surprising to see the organization part ways with him so soon.

But Tenzer believes there was a financial reason involved behind the decision.

“So when Sacramento had new management, and when they were in place, we registered interest. I don’t know the exact cap mechanisms they use, but they had to create room and make some moves for another signing they had.

“And so in the trade for Jonas and Dario, they were able to save some money, I think, create some flexibility,” Tenzer continued.

The Nuggets executive concluded by stating: “So because we registered interest, they were looking at different deals, and they called us and asked if we were interested.”

While the Nuggets may have gotten their man, the organization is keeping an eye on other players as well. After all, there’s still a chance that Valanciunas forces his way out of Denver.

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

More must-reads: