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Denver Nuggets’ new signing could be the key to keep up with Oklahoma City Thunder, but there’s a big uncertainty

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Jonah Kubicek | Last updated Jul 8, 2025 2:30 PM ET

The Denver Nuggets had one of the most productive offseasons in the entire NBA so far, but they are far from a lock to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in the playoffs.

After losing in the second round of the NBA playoffs to the eventual champion Oklahoma City Thunder, the Denver Nuggets entered the offseason knowing two truths.

First, as long as they have Nikola Jokic on the roster, they will be title contenders. Second, they needed to bolster their lineup and depth if they wanted to be considered favorites.

After adding Jonas Valanciunas, Bruce Brown, Cameron Johnson, and Tim Hardaway Jr., it’s safe to say that the Nuggets built a real threat to the Thunder, although their hopes hinge on one player.

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Jonas Valanciunas is at the center of the Nuggets’ success

Nikola Jokic is the best Thunder foil in the league. He limits turnovers, which prevents the Thunder from starting fast breaks and pushing the pace, and he requires all five defenders to be totally locked in. However, behind him in the depth chart, the Nuggets didn’t have much.

Enter Valanciunas. He has an offer on the table from Panathinaikos that he is very seriously considering, although the Nuggets’ success this season hinges on enticing him to stay.

“A lot of this hinges on whether or not they can keep Valanciunas or replace him with another center, because I do think that Jokic is just so relied upon,” said Adam Mares.

“If you rely upon them in the same way, that lessens your odds quite a bit. But if we assume Valanciunas is there, I do put them in the same tier as Oklahoma City.”

The Thunder, aside from getting Nikola Topic back from injury, did not make many moves to improve. As the reigning champs, they didn’t need to, although the Nuggets are now nipping at their heels.

Rookie Thomas Sorber might be able to slow Jokic down, although a safer bet is that he is still a season or two away from cracking the rotation. The Nuggets last season were far from perfect, although with their additions, they are closer to the Thunder than ever.

“The weaknesses that they had, namely, a lack of depth off the bench, lack of shooting, they resolved both of those issues,” Mares continued. “

So I look at it and I say, absolutely. I think Denver, if they keep Valanciunas, I will have them in tier one of my NBA contenders.”

Possible replacements for Valanciunas leave a lot to be desired

If the Nuggets can’t keep Valanciunas and he decides to end his NBA career in favor of the Greek League, there isn’t much that Denver can do.

Thomas Bryant could return to Denver in free agency, or the Nuggets could target veteran Bismack Biyombo. However, neither of those players is as good on either end as Valanciunas, and neither offers the same physicality as could shut down Chet Holmgren or Isaiah Hartenstein while Jokic sits.

While the Thunder get Topic back, the Nuggets will welcome DaRon Holmes II to the lineup after he missed his entire rookie season. He is a bit undersized, but like Valanciunas, he leans into physicality. However, he is raw and inexperienced, and is not the type of player that a title threat wants to have to rely on, at least not yet.

A lot will be determined in the West if Valanciunas stays or leaves, and Denver is openly desperate about keeping him in town.

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

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