Latest news with #JonasValanciunas
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nuggets' DaRon Holmes can put himself into Nikola Jokic, Jonas Valanciunas center mix after injury
No one had a worse 2024 NBA Summer League than DaRon Holmes. The Denver Nuggets' first-round center tore his Achilles in his first appearance, resulting in an entirely missed season. The big fella from Dayton is back now, though, and ready to show he belongs in a frontcourt mix that includes Nikola Jokic and (probably) Jonas Valanciunas. "The stretch big from Dayton has a chance to make an impact as a change-of-pace center or big forward if he can regain the form that made him a late first-round pick in 2024, especially because the Nuggets are starved for both shooting and frontcourt quality," writes The Athletic's John Hollinger. MORE: How good was LeBron at football? NBA legend would have been 'one of the best' in NFL If Valanciunas actually leaves for a contract in Greece, Holmes becomes that much more important immediately. But if not, he'll have a good learning opportunity behind the two veteran European big men. And because Holmes can shoot it a bit, he could conceptually be on the floor with another big at times. His chances of playing time all began in Las Vegas at 2025 Summer League, though. Clearly, Holmes would like to stay healthy. He'd also love to prove he belongs in the Nuggets' rotation. MORE NBA NEWS: Where might Jonathan Kuminga end up? Bucks might be good fit for Chris Paul Knicks' Ariel Hukporti has the most foreboding contract setup in the entire NBA Warriors have their eyes on two centers Josh Giddey could be out of contract luck The key detail in Bronny James' contract with the Lakers
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nuggets VP shares (likely) conclusive update about Nikola Jokić's backup
The revitalized NBA title contender Denver Nuggets thought they had finally acquired a competent backup center for Nikola Jokić when they reportedly traded for veteran big man Jonas Valančiūnas at the start of 2025 NBA free agency. However, it was later revealed that Greek EuroLeague club Panathinaikos B.C. had strongly courted Valančiūnas overseas, with the Lithuanian center seriously pondering ending his NBA career. The implication was that Valančiūnas wanted to finish his NBA career so he could be closer to his family in Europe. From there, it sounded like he was willing to surrender his NBA salary in full had the Nuggets granted him permission out of a contract that has two years of team control (and just under $20.4 million total) remaining. Advertisement Naturally, these developments caught the Nuggets off guard, who apparently had no idea Valančiūnas was considering leaving the NBA to play in Greece before making the trade. Ultimately, per NBA reporter Marc Stein, the Nuggets did not grant Valančiūnas's wishes. And this past Saturday, the Valančiūnas trade was finalized after Denver had finished shuffling around unrelated moving parts. As of Tuesday morning, it seems like an abject certainty that he will play in the 2025-2026 NBA season for Denver. That's at least according to Nuggets executive vice president of basketball operations, Ben Tenzer, who was interviewed by Altitude Sports Radio on Tuesday. Tenzer not only didn't sound concerned about Panathinaikos ever really luring Valančiūnas over from Denver, but he also clarified that he expects the player they call "Big Val" to indeed play for the Nuggets: That sounds very encouraging and confident on the Nuggets' part. All's well that ends well, right? Advertisement Not necessarily. Maybe. Probably. Earlier this week, during a speaking event with Lithuanian basketball, Valančiūnas was weirdly cryptic about his professional future. Hmm: While I have no doubt that Valančiūnas is probably still somewhat upset about how this situation was resolved so far, this isn't necessarily him casting doubt on actually coming over to Denver and playing like a professional. He could have simply been declining to comment on it further until the conclusion of the upcoming EuroBasket tournament in late August and early September. Based on Tenzer's public comments here, it seems likely that Valančiūnas chose that path. I suppose we'll have full clarity soon enough. Well, not that soon, but you get the idea. Advertisement This article originally appeared on For The Win: Nuggets' Ben Tenzer shares definitive update about Jonas Valančiūnas situation
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nuggets inform Jonas Valanciunas of contract decision after Kings trade
The post Nuggets inform Jonas Valanciunas of contract decision after Kings trade appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Denver Nuggets have had one of the best offseasons in the NBA so far as free agency winds down and NBA Summer League gets going. The Nuggets had success on the free agent market, but they also made a pair of key trades including the acquisition of Jonas Valanciunas from the Sacramento Kings. Advertisement Shortly after that trade, sending Dario Saric back to Sacramento, went through, the Nuggets ran into a bit of a speed bump. Valanciunas' availability with the Nuggets quickly came into question after reports that he was considering going overseas to play for Greek team Panathinaikos. However, that would only be possible if the Nuggets allowed him to get out of his NBA contract, and now they have made a final decision on that front. The Nuggets are going to keep Valanciunas with the expectation that he will be the backup for Nikola Jokic according to ESPN's Shams Charania. 'Denver has informed Jonas Valanciunas' reps that the franchise fully intends to have him honor his contract as the Nuggets view Valanciunas as a critical center addition to back up Nikola Jokic and play alongside him,' Charania reported on X, formerly Twitter. 'Greek team Panathinaikos pursued Valanciunas in recent days.' The Nuggets also pulled off a very high-profile trade, sending Michael Porter Jr. to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Cam Johnson. With that deal, Denver gets some salary relief and also improves their perimeter defense while maintaining most of the elite shooting that made Porter such a good fit next to Jokic and company. Advertisement With Bruce Brown returning to the Mile High City and Tim Hardaway Jr. coming in on a minimum contract, Valanciunas seemed like the final piece of the puzzle for the Nuggets to challenge at the very top of the Western Conference. They were nearly able to knock off the Oklahoma City Thunder during their championship run and seemed to improve this offseason. Now, if Valanciunas is bought in, there's an argument to be made that the Nuggets have patched up all of their holes this offseason and will be set for another run at title contention in 2025-26. Related: Nuggets rumors: 1 'obvious' reason Denver wants to block Jonas Valanciunas' Greece move Related: Nuggets pushing forward with Jonas Valanciunas trade with Kings
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
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Nuggets rumors: 1 ‘obvious' reason Denver wants to block Jonas Valanciunas' Greece move
The post Nuggets rumors: 1 'obvious' reason Denver wants to block Jonas Valanciunas' Greece move appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Denver Nuggets find themselves embroiled in one of the most intriguing stories of the NBA offseason with their pursuit of Jonas Valanciunas. While the Lithuanian veteran is eyeing a contract with EuroLeague giant Panathinaikos, he is still under an NBA contract and cannot sign unless released by the Nuggets. Advertisement Valanciunas met with Panathinaikos officials this weekend and is reportedly eyeing a $12 million deal with the Greek side. This comes after Denver was poised to land him as Nikola Jokic's backup after agreeing to a swap with the Sacramento Kings for Dario Saric. While the Nuggets view Valanciunas as the ideal Jokic backup, the Kings need Saric's reduced salary in order to see through the Dennis Schroder acquisition they have already agreed upon. In addition to him being seen as the ideal fit, the Nuggets also seem hard-pressed due to the lack of alternatives, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line. Valanciunas potentially forfeiting even all of his $10.4 million salary would unlock Denver's $14.1 million mid-level exception, but the pickings are slim. The Nuggets could potentially offer Al Horford a one-year deal. However, Horford is expected to join the Golden State Warriors despite Dub Nation only having the $5.7 million taxpayer mid-level left to offer him, with no other attractive pivots available to Denver. This has led to the Nuggets officials being currently determined to enforce Valanciunas' contract and see him join the roster for next season, per Stein. This is despite the player seemingly wanting to sign this three-year deal with Panathinaikos, who have already promised a celebratory reception at Athens' Eleftherios Venizelos Airport in around 10 days. A similar situation had played out before Sasha Vezenkov's transfer to Olympiacos last July. Advertisement The player had acquired the requisite letter of clearance after forfeiting his entire salary for the 2024-25 season, an option which remains available to Valanciunas as well. However, it is up to the Nuggets to accept, as things stand, they look poised to enforce the contract. Related: Nuggets pushing forward with Jonas Valanciunas trade with Kings Related: The move Denver Nuggets still must make in 2025 NBA free agency
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jonas Valanciunas adds more mystery to Nuggets status after trade
The post Jonas Valanciunas adds more mystery to Nuggets status after trade appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Denver Nuggets recently traded for veteran center Jonas Valanciunas to serve as a backup behind Nikola Jokic. However, since the deal was announced, it's been surrounded by mystery, as Valanciunas verbally agreed to play for Panathinaikos in Greece. Valanciunas recently opened up about the situation, but his comments made it all the more confusing. Advertisement During a trip to Panathinaikos, the 33-year-old center shared a cryptic message regarding his future in basketball, according to Jonas Valanciunas verbally committed to play overseas despite having his NBA contract still active. 'You can say anything. A lot has already been said, all kinds of thoughts,' said Jonas Valanciunas. 'The bubble burst, everyone shared what everyone thinks. We'll only find out when the first game is played. Everything will be clear. 'When the trade is finalized, we'll come up with a plan. [The Nuggets] will express their wishes, how they think, how they see it… Medical, other details. That will depend on them.' Despite being traded to the Nuggets from the Sacramento Kings, reports indicate that Denver has yet to make the deal official. That's likely why there is so much confusion surrounding the status of the 6-foot-11 center. However, the organization has made it clear they want Valanciunas on the roster for next season. Advertisement Jonas Valanciunas is entering the second year of his three-year contract worth over $30 million. The Nuggets reportedly informed the veteran center that they expect him to honor his contract. If that's the case, then Valanciunas would not be able to play for Panathinaikos next season. We'll have to wait and see how this situation plays out. If Jonas Valanciunas does play for the Nuggets, then Denver arguably had the most successful offseason. Not only would they have improved the backup center position, but the front office also added Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. while also adding Cam Johnson. Related: Nikola Jokic declines Nuggets' contract extension offer Related: Nets' Sean Marks breaks silence on Cam Johnson-Michael Porter Jr. trade
