Only Two Reported NBA Trades Still Unofficial, And Both Involve The Nuggets

Just two NBA trades reported this offseason have yet to be announced, though they’re likely right around the corner.

The biggie, of course, is the holdup of the deal between the Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings. It sends big man Dario Saric to the Kings and Jonas Valanciunas to the Nuggets — but Valanciunas reportedly had been angling to get out of his contract and play for Greek club Panathinaikos. That has complicated matters, though not derailed the agreement.

The other also involves the Nuggets, who agreed to send small forward Michael Porter Jr. to the Brooklyn Nets for small forward Cam Johnson.

While that deal has also yet to be finalized, it is reportedly tied to Denver’s cap positioning. NBA insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line noted that Denver may be looking to complete the Porter-Johnson trade first, which would allow the team to stay below the first tax apron and take back a higher salary in the Saric-Valanciunas deal.

That theory has gained traction, with speculation Denver could roll both trades into a single transaction. Meanwhile, Brooklyn is believed to be evaluating how to best use its remaining cap room before finalizing the Johnson-for-Porter swap, which would eat up more than $17 million of space.

Despite the delays, there’s no indication the Kings-Nuggets trade is in danger. Stein reported again Monday that Denver has informed Valanciunas they expect him to honor his contract and plan to keep him.

However, Greek outlet SDNA reported Panathinaikos believed the Nuggets would let the center walk, based on discussions with his representation. That has created some confusion around the big man’s future.

Regardless, both deals are viewed as inevitable. And with Summer League ramping up, league executives and front offices are expected to remain active. Monday alone saw the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Clippers, and Utah Jazz finalize a three-team trade after talks earlier in the day. And yes, more movement could be on the way.