Jonas Valanciunas Trade Reportedly 'On Course' to Be Completed by Nuggets, Kings
The trade that sent Jonas Valančiūnas from the Sacramento Kings to the Denver Nuggets has remained under the spotlight this offseason because of the big man's potential interest in playing in Europe, but the latest update suggests he will suit up for the Western Conference team next season.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported Wednesday that the trade "remains on course to be made official later this week" even though the Nuggets haven't guaranteed the second season (2026-27) on his contract.
Valančiūnas is in line to make a guaranteed $10.4 million this coming season.
NBA insider Jake Fischer reported on July 3 that Panathinaikos in Greece made Valančiūnas "a lucrative offer."
However, ESPN's Shams Charania reported Sunday that Denver told the big man's representatives it "fully intends to have him honor his contract" because it sees him "as a critical center addition to back up Nikola Jokić and play alongside him."
The Valančiūnas addition was part of a busy summer for the Nuggets as they addressed some of the depth concerns that hampered them last season.
They also traded Michael Porter Jr. and their unprotected 2032 first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nest to acquire Cam Johnson, and they added Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. in free agency. Brown is accustomed to playing in Denver from earlier in his career, while Hardaway can take advantage of the spacing created by Jokić with his outside shooting.
As for Valančiūnas, he remains a double-double threat every time he plays. He averaged 10.4 points and 7.7 rebounds per game while shooting 55 percent from the field last season for the Washington Wizards and Kings. He wasn't quite as dominant as when he was with the Memphis Grizzlies earlier in his career, but he was still effective.
His presence will also help the Nuggets keep Jokić fresher during the regular season, which should pay off come playoff time in a deep Western Conference.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported that Jokić is "very pleased" with the team's offseason moves to this point. Yet Denver must first make sure Valančiūnas is on the team next season for the moves to fully pay off.
Stein's report indicates there is confidence that will happen, but it will remain a storyline until the deal is finalized.
