After the Nuggets and Kings traded, Jonas Valanciunas appeared to be the backup for the new Nicola Jokic. This is still going well, but Valanciunas wanted to leave the Nuggets and play for the Panatinaikos for the game.
Most people can agree that Nikola Djokic is one of the best players in the NBA. At the same time, he did not have an elite backup center with the Denver Nuggets. That will change to the 2025-26 season with the arrival of Jonas Valanciunas.
It would be a smooth process, but Valanciunas expressed interest in a deal with Greek side Panatinaikos. It was a huge change for Valanciunas, given that he was a productive NBA center for a long time.
This caused the Nuggets to cried out to persuade them to stay in Valanciunas, and they may have succeeded.
Throughout the 2025 NBA offseason, Panathinaikos and owner Dimitrios Giannakopoulos have been running a campaign for Valanciunas to participate. It would have been huge for the Greek team as he is still a great NBA-level center.
Valanciunas, 33, averaged 10.4 points and 7.7 rebounds in stints with the Washington Wizards and Sacramento Kings. The Nuggets did well in the trade that sent Dario Salic to Sacramento, and in return, acquired the Lithuanians.
Unfortunately for Nuggett, Valanciunas turned his head to the offer he had received from Panathinaicus. Nuggets fans should be grateful as the team wins the conflict and there are Lithuanians. Denver was trying to get Al Horford if he couldn’t secure Valanciuna.
“We want to sign him. If his team doesn’t say ‘Yes,’ he wants to join us. Panathinaikos owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos spoke about the move live on Instagram.
With Valanciunas set to join Nuggets, he will become Jokic’s most talented backup tycoon. He offers relentless rebounds and a reliable touch around the rim. Defensively, he is capable enough to lock the Nuggets defense down.
With an elite centre rotation, it is difficult for any team to beat the nuggets. Of course, Jokic will start all the games he has available. However, Lithuanians are talented enough to win a starting spot from time to time.
Valanciunas is great with his improved offensive ability as a good paint scorer and decent shooter. He could be a great player for the Nuggets. Jokic is especially old. The Lithuanian may be old, but he is good for the backup role.
The Nuggets have improved significantly during the offseason. They traded Michael Porter Jr. for Cameron Johnson and re-signed Bruce Brown. Valanciunas is his third acquisition, and he may be just as important. All of these roster moves will make the Nuggets formidable for the 2025-26 season.