Stunning Jonas Valanciunas Decision Will Give Nuggets Unique Opportunity

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Alex Kirschenbaum | Last updated Jul 4, 2025 9:39 AM ET

Longtime NBA center Jonas Valanciunas is reportedly being lured away from title contention with his new team, the Denver Nuggets, by Greek club Panathinaikos.

According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, Valanciunas is already planning to head to Greece and ink a reported three-season, €12 million contract offer.

The 6-foot-11 big man, 33, is still currently on the Sacramento Kings until the team's trade sending him to Denver for a draft pick and non-rotation center Dario Saric is finalized on Sunday.

His imminent decision to ditch the U.S. for Europe puts a damper on Denver's excellent roster-building run this summer, as the Nuggets look to retool their roster around three-time MVP starting center Nikola Jokic, power forward Aaron Gordon, and guards Jamal Murray and Christian Braun.

Denver also traded to acquire power forward Cameron Johnson and signed free agent guards Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr.

Jokic hasn't had a reliable backup center for eons. Valanciunas absolutely represented a huge roster upgrade.

In 81 games for the Washington Wizards and Kings last season, Valanciunas averaged 10.4 points on 55% shooting from the floor and 87.9% shooting from the foul line, 7.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 0.6 blocks a night.

Jonas Valančiūnas is traveling to Greece per numerous reports and hopes to be released from his NBA contract after Denver acquires him Sunday from Sacramento to join Panathinaikos.

The Nuggets’ consolation: They would gain access to their full MLE.

More: https://t.co/HpE639WN7H https://t.co/nUoE7G8TKn pic.twitter.com/nExJLDbxWC
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 4, 2025

As Stein observes, however, Valanciunas' impending departure isn't all bad news for Denver.

The Nuggets will have their full non-taxpayer's midlevel exception to use as they see fit this summer. Many free agents are now off the board, but the team could take a shot at restricted free agents like Jonathan Kuminga, Cam Thomas and Quentin Grimes (Josh Giddey will likely prove too pricey) and vets like Al Horford, Moritz Wagner, Chris Paul, Malcolm Brogdon, Chris Boucher and De'Anthony Melton.

A Valanciunas exit creates a clear need for a real backup big, meaning Horford, Wagner and Boucher could become Denver's top targets.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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