Nuggets Expect Valanciunas to Fulfill His Contract
The Denver Nuggets have informed Jonas Valanciunas’ representatives that the franchise expects the center to honor his contract.
The Nuggets agreed to a trade with the Sacramento Kings to acquire Valanciunas in exchange for Dario Saric. Denver informed Valanciunas that they will not let him leave the remaining two years of his contract.
The transfer between Denver and Sacramento has not yet been made official.
The Nuggets have the 6-foot-11-inch veteran center slated to play a key role as Nikola Jokic’s backup. Denver has long sought a center to help the Nuggets when Jokic is not on the court resting.
Valanciunas, who averaged 10.4 points and 7.7 rebounds for the Kings and Wizards last season, will earn $10.3 million this upcoming season and has $10 million remaining in the following season. The final year of his contract is not guaranteed.
Valanciunas’ contract with the NBA is binding and does not allow him to seek other professional opportunities unless both parties reach an agreement on a termination.
Denver’s new head office, with Ben Tenzer and Jon Wallace, has been busy remodeling the team this offseason.
In addition to agreeing to the transfer of Valanciunas, Denver made a deal to move Michael Porter Jr. and an unprotected 2032 first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets for forward Cameron Johnson.
The Nuggets also agreed to sign free agents Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. to give Jokic more help.
