Jonas Valančiūnas finds himself in basketball limbo. The 33-year-old center was traded from Sacramento to Denver, but he’s not exactly packing his bags for Colorado. Instead, he’s reportedly eyeing a return to Europe with Panathinaikos in Greece.
At Lithuania’s training camp, Valančiūnas dodged questions about his NBA future like a point guard avoiding a screen. The veteran big man’s reluctance to commit has left the Nuggets in an awkward position, desperately hoping their new backup center actually shows up to play.
Why Is Jonas Valančiūnas Avoiding Questions About His NBA Future?
The Lithuanian center’s media strategy at the training camp was simple: deflect and redirect. When reporters pressed him about the Panathinaikos/Nuggets situation, Valančiūnas quickly shifted the conversation to safer ground.
The 13-year NBA veteran appeared on the opening day of training camp but remained tight-lipped when asked about the recent trade that sent him from Sacramento to the Mile High City, according to Johnny Askounis of Eurohoops.
“Let’s talk about the national team,” Valančiūnas said when asked about the controversy. “It’s always fun to play for Lithuania, to participate in training camps, to put on the national team’s jersey.” He danced around, giving no concrete statement about his club’s future.
His response about playing in Denver was equally evasive. “I’ve been there. I’ve played several times,” Valančiūnas acknowledged about his experience facing the Nuggets as an opponent. “When I am sure [about where I’ll be playing next season], I will talk about everything. You will be the first to know, for sure.”
The timing of his uncertainty creates additional pressure. With EuroBasket 2025 approaching, the international basketball competition played every four years, Valančiūnas is balancing national team commitments with unresolved club decisions.
What Are the Nuggets Doing to Keep Valančiūnas in Denver?
Denver isn’t playing games with their new acquisition. The franchise has made it crystal clear that they expect Valančiūnas to honor his contract, regardless of his European aspirations.
The Nuggets completed the trade on July 1, sending Dario Šarić to Sacramento in exchange for Valančiūnas. However, NBA insider Marc Stein reported just days after the deal that playing in Europe held “strong appeal” for Valančiūnas as he considered whether to seek a buyout from Denver.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Denver “fully intends to have him honor his contract” and views him as a “critical center addition” behind Jokić.
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. Greek team Panathinaikos pursued Valanciunas in recent days. https://t.co/a6SGnWFeLh
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 6, 2025
The financial stakes are significant. Valančiūnas is set to earn $10.4 million in the NBA this season and has a non-guaranteed $10 million during the 2026-27 campaign. Denver’s firm stance reflects their belief that he’s essential to their championship aspirations.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets have been busy reshaping their roster beyond the Valančiūnas acquisition. They parted ways with their first-round draft pick, Michael Porter Jr., and an unprotected 2032 first-round pick in exchange for Cam Johnson. The team also brought back Bruce Brown, who helped them capture the title in 2023, and signed veteran sharpshooter Tim Hardaway Jr. from the Detroit Pistons.
How Would Valančiūnas Fit Into Denver’s Championship Plans?
For a team that has struggled with center depth behind Nikola Jokić, Valančiūnas represents a perfect solution. The revolving door of backup centers the Nuggets have experimented with over recent seasons highlights just how crucial this position has become.
The Lithuania native offers something Denver has desperately needed: a legitimate backup who plays similarly to Jokić. While he lacks the Serbian superstar’s playmaking wizardry, Valančiūnas brings the size, scoring touch, and rebounding that can maintain the team’s interior presence when Jokić rests.
His recent production supports Denver’s optimism. Valančiūnas averaged 10.4 points and 7.7 rebounds for the Washington Wizards and Kings during the 2024-25 season, providing steady contributions despite splitting time between two organizations.
The championship window factor cannot be ignored. If Valančiūnas truly hopes to make it to the NBA Finals and win a ring, staying with the Nuggets may be his best bet. This team is well-equipped to make a strong push next season, offering him something Panathinaikos cannot: a realistic path to an NBA championship.
The standoff continues, but Denver’s message is clear. They view Valančiūnas as their missing piece, not a player with one foot out the door. Whether the veteran center embraces that vision or pursues his European dreams will define both his legacy and Denver’s championship hopes.
