Nuggets Trust Jonas Valanciunas for Next Season
Denver appears to have dismissed the need for a backup plan for Nikola Jokic. The Denver Nuggets are hoping to have Jonas Valanciunas on the team at the start of the season, dispelling speculation about his future in the NBA. Denver’s trade with Sacramento, which involved Valanciunas in exchange for Dario Saric, was made official last weekend. Previously, reports emerged about the interest of the Greek club Panathinaikos from the Euroleague in Valanciunas, which generated some uncertainty given that the player has two years left on his NBA contract, worth more than $20 million.Ben Tenzer tried to calm any speculation about Valanciunas’ arrival during a press conference where Cam Johnson was presented. The transfer of Valanciunas, 33 years old, seems to be the final touch of a productive offseason in which the management team remodeled the team, after the defeat in the seventh game of the second round against Oklahoma City. The Nuggets also added Cam Johnson in a deal that sent Michael Porter Jr. to Brooklyn. In addition, they added Bruce Brown and guard/forward Tim Hardaway Jr. Tenzer stated that they have had productive conversations with Valanciunas, who will play with Lithuania in the FIBA EuroBasket this summer. Someone from the Nuggets could even travel to see him.There have been very positive conversations about him fulfilling his contract and about his enthusiasm for being a Nugget.
Ben Tenzer, Nuggets executive vice president of basketball operations
Valanciunas comes from a season in which he split his time between Washington and Sacramento, averaging 10.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and two assists in 81 games. Denver is counting on him to give Jokic the occasional rest. Jokic, 30, averaged 36.7 minutes per game last season, the highest figure of his career.His plan is for it to arrive as soon as possible, but they are still working on it. We will address it at that time.
Jonathan Wallace
