NBA Notes: Nuggets, Jonas Valanciunas, Pistons, Isaac Jones, Mavericks

Nuggets

Jonas Valanciunas and Denver have agreed to restructure the final year of his contract, per Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.

His deal runs through 2026-27 and originally included a June 29 guarantee date on his $10 million salary.

That date is now July 8. And Valanciunas will now have $2 million guaranteed even if he is waived before then.

This gives Denver more time to make a call. It also makes Valanciunas a cleaner trade piece in July for a team looking to shave money. If the Nuggets keep him, he will be extension eligible.

Valanciunas reportedly wanted to sign with Panathinaikos over the summer, but Denver had just traded for him and considered him an ideal backup to Nikola Jokic.

So if he finishes his career overseas eventually, the later free agency window probably doesn’t change much.

Valanciunas has averaged 8.3 points and 4.6 rebounds in 11.9 minutes through seven games.

Pistons

The Pistons claimed Isaac Jones off waivers, per Shams Charania of ESPN.

Sacramento cut Jones this week to make room for Precious Achiuwa.

Jones is owed nearly $2 million this season with roughly $191,000 guaranteed. The Kings lose that cap number because Detroit claimed him.

Jones played 40 games last year and averaged 7.6 minutes. He was far more productive in the G League. He will fill Detroit’s 15th roster spot.

Mavericks

Coach Jason Kidd said Anthony Davis is “feeling better” with his left calf strain and is day to day, per Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal.

Dereck Lively is doing on-court work and the team hopes he can return next week. Davis has missed three straight games. Lively has missed five.