NBA Notes: Jazz, No. 2 pick, Nuggets, Jonas Valanciunas, Blazers

Jazz

The Jazz may hear trade chatter involving the No. 2 overall pick over the next several weeks, but Tony Jones of The Athletic believes the franchise’s decision should actually be pretty simple.

Namely, take whichever elite guard prospect is still available.

According to Jones, Utah’s biggest long-term hole remains at shooting guard, making either AJ Dybantsa or Darryn Peterson an obvious fit depending on who goes first overall.

Jones added that if Cameron Boozer somehow becomes the surprise No. 1 pick, he would lean toward Dybantsa over Peterson for Utah.

In other words, while trade speculation always ramps up this time of year, the Jazz may ultimately be best served simply staying put and drafting upside.

Nuggets

Jonas Valanciunas may once again have overseas options this offseason.

Appearing on the Pikenrolas podcast, the veteran big man confirmed he has received interest from multiple European clubs while his NBA future with the Nuggets remains unsettled.

“There are discussions, and we are deciding,” Valanciunas said, via Hoops Rumors. “But the final word belongs to Denver.”

Valanciunas added that only Nikola Jokic appears truly untouchable on Denver’s roster right now.

“As I understand it, only Nikola is untouchable,” he said. “Everyone else can be moved.”

That’s probably not entirely shocking considering Denver’s financial situation.

Valanciunas carries a $10 million salary next season, though only $2 million is guaranteed. If the Nuggets waive him, a EuroLeague move suddenly becomes far more realistic.

According to multiple reports, Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos remains interested, with Fenerbahce and Lithuanian club Zalgiris Kaunas also reportedly in the mix.

Meanwhile, Vinny Benedetto of The Denver Gazette outlined several possible offseason trade paths for Denver, ranging from simple salary-dump moves to potentially larger shakeups involving players such as Jamal Murray or Aaron Gordon.

Trail Blazers

Deni Avdija may eventually become one of the more interesting extension situations in the NBA.

According to Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report, the Trail Blazers could have difficulty signing Avdija to a standard veteran extension because of how team-friendly his current contract already is.

Avdija is set to make just $11.9 million in 2027-28, which significantly limits Portland’s ability to offer a competitive extension number under league rules.

As a result, Highkin noted the Blazers may eventually need to create cap space next offseason to renegotiate that salary upward before extending him long term.

It’s a good problem to have.

Avdija quietly emerged as one of Portland’s steadiest all-around players this past season and continues looking like a major value contract for the organization.