Nuggets Reportedly to Proceed With Valanciunas Trade Despite EuroLeague Contract Offer
Despite receiving an offer from Greek Panathinaikos, the Denver Nuggets are set to proceed with their trade for Jonas Valančiūnas from the Sacramento Kings, per NBA insider Marc Stein.
The 33-year-old averaged 10.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 55 percent from the field last season. If Valančiūnas decides to stay in the States, he will primarily serve as a backup to Nikola Jokić.
The Nuggets have made several major offseason moves, including trading Michael Porter Jr. and a first-round pick for Cam Johnson and signing free agents Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown. However, just as it looked like they had secured a key addition in veteran backup center Valančiūnas, that deal may be unraveling.
According to Stein, Valančiūnas is en route to Greece and is hoping to be released from his contract with the Nuggets once the trade with the Kings is finalized. The 13-year NBA veteran is set to earn $10.395 million next season and would need to negotiate a buyout in order to make the jump overseas.
Despite the setback at the backup center spot and the continued lack of depth behind Jokić, Denver would unlock a full $14.1 million exception if Valančiūnas departs, giving the team added flexibility to address its roster needs.
That added flexibility could open the door for Denver to pursue one of the top remaining free agents on the market—veteran big man Al Horford. His experience, leadership and ability to stretch the floor would make him an ideal fit behind Jokić.
