Jonas Valanciunas has heard the noise. Now, he’s making his position clear.
After weeks of speculation about a possible jump to Europe, the veteran center told BasketNews.com on Monday that he is committed to the Denver Nuggets for the upcoming season and has no plans to pursue a buyout.
“I want to clear the air about my playing situation next season now that Denver has made their decision to keep me,” Valanciunas said. “The idea of playing for Panathinaikos, closer to home, was very exciting to me, but that will have to wait. I am fully committed to honoring my contract with the Nuggets this season and will give it my all to compete for a championship.”
Valanciunas was acquired from the Kings on July 1 in exchange for Dario Saric, a move that gave the Nuggets a reliable backup behind two-time MVP Nikola Jokic. Denver had been eyeing Valanciunas for several years and made the deal early in free agency to secure his services.
But things got complicated quickly.
Just days after the trade agreement was reported, word leaked that Valanciunas was in advanced talks with Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos on a three-year deal. With the big man still under contract, the assumption was that a buyout might be on the table.
Instead, the Nuggets held firm. The trade was officially completed on July 13, and general manager Ben Tenzer addressed the situation soon after. He told reporters the team had “great conversations” with Valanciunas and his representatives, and that the 32-year-old had expressed enthusiasm about joining the reigning Western Conference finalists.
Any move to Panathinaikos would have required Valanciunas to be released from his NBA contract and cleared by FIBA, something Denver had no interest in facilitating. The alternative (a.k.a. holding out) never gained traction.
Valanciunas is due $10.4 million in 2025-26, with a non-guaranteed $10 million for the following season. He is expected to anchor a retooled Nuggets second unit that also features recent free-agent pickups Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr.
For now, the Lithuanian veteran is staying put, and says he’s all in.
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