Jonas Valanciunas Reportedly Waived by Nuggets, Impact on Salary Cap and Contract Guarantees

The Denver Nuggets are reportedly moving on from big man Jonas Valančiūnas.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported Wednesday that the Western Conference team is waiving the veteran, who "is expected to receive interest from multiple NBA teams."

Michael Scotto of HoopsHype noted Denver now owes him $2 million for the 2026-27 season following this decision that occurred before his $10 million salary was set to be fully guaranteed Wednesday.

ESPN's Bobby Marks provided more details:

This means Valančiūnas' tenure with the Nuggets was short-lived, as they acquired him from the Sacramento Kings just last offseason.

In his one season with Denver, the big man averaged 8.7 points and 5.1 rebounds in 13.4 minutes per game across 65 appearances and six starts. He wasn't a significant factor in the team's attack with Nikola Jokić entrenched as one of the best players in the entire league, although he provided solid production in limited chances.

Still, it was a far cry from when he was a double-double threat every time he stepped on the floor in the peak of his career.

Valančiūnas averaged a double-double during four consecutive seasons for the Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans from 2019 to 2023 and posted double-digit scoring averages in 10 of his first 11 seasons in the league.

In all, he has suited up for the Toronto Raptors, Grizzlies, Pelicans, Washington Wizards, Kings and Nuggets during an NBA career that dates back to the 2012-13 campaign.

At 34 years old, it is not realistic to expect Valančiūnas to revert back to the player who averaged 17.8 points and 11.4 rebounds a night during the 2021-22 season with New Orleans, but he could still provide important interior depth and rebounding for a contender.

Charania reported multiple teams will be interested, which is notable since there was some speculation he could head to Europe to play last offseason.