Jonas Valanciunas confirms that he will play for Denver this season

Jonas Valanciunas’ flirtation with the Greek Panathinaikos power was real and according to reports they were willing to offer three years, $ 13 million (one of the greatest contracts on the continent).

The problem for Avalanciunas: he was already under contract with the Denver Nuggets, who had exchanged for his rights by the King Sacramento. Denver has not intended to buy Valanciunas, it is the best Backup center Nikola Jokić that he has ever had and a fundamental part of the depth that the team added during the summer to chase another ring. Avalanciunas confirmed that he was engaged in the nugget next season, speaking to Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews.com.

“I want to free the air on my game situation next season now that Denver made their decision to keep me. The idea of playing for Panathinaikos, closer to the house, was very exciting for me, but will have to wait. I am fully busy honoring my contract with the Nuggets this season and I will give everyone to compete for a championship.”

Avalanciunas is under contract for $ 10.4 million for this season and has $ 10 million not guaranteed for the 2026-27 season. After Denver made the trade to acquire the Veterano Center from Lithuania, the general manager Ben Tenzer said he had spoken with Valanciunas and his representatives, claiming that they wanted him to play with them this season and that there was no intention to buy it. (In order for Avalanciunas to play in Greece next season would have asked Denver to accept a purchase to make it a free agent, the Fiba rules do not allow a player under contract in one league to sign one contract with another.)

Avalanciunas is essential for Denver’s plans next season, which is why there has never been a plan to buy it from its contract. For a number of years – included during the championship race in 2023 – the Nugget fell abruptly in the minutes that Jokic was out of the field. Last season, the Nuggets had a net rating of -8.5 in the non -Jokic minutes and in the season of the 2023 championship, it was even worse, at -9.9. Avalanciunas helps to change it because it is a great skilled man who can serve as a hub of an offense, performing dribble transfers while mid -range shots (inside 15 feet). Combined with Peyton Watson, Tim Hardaway Jr., Bruce Brown and the hemorive Julian Strawter, the Nuggets have a real depth for a change.