The Denver Nuggets undoubtedly have one of the best basketball participant on the earth of Nikola Jokic, however they didn’t go to the Western Convention ultimate since he led them to a championship in 2021.
Jokic has completed the highest two of the NBA MVP in every of the final 5 seasons, together with three victories, however even a participant in his caliber wants relaxation. Nonetheless, it is among the largest Denver holes. The Nuggets have didn’t discover a dependable backup middle for Jokic up to now.
The Nuggets would have exchanged for the middle of 13 -year -old veterans Jonas Valancunas des Kings de Sacramento in alternate for Dario Saric.
Sacramento Kings alternate Jonas Valancunas at Denver Nuggets for Dario Saric, have ESPN sources. pic.twitter.com/d2xmbm4dn1
– Shams Charania (@shamscharania) July 1, 2025
Whereas the nuggets have been ecstatic to lastly discover a good backup for Jokic, an enormous downside shortly got here to life. Valancunas would have obtained a beneficiant supply from Greek Panathinaikos from the Euroleague, and the NBA veteran plans to leap overseas earlier than by no means adapting to nuggets.
Though this can be a loopy flip of occasions, the Nuggets nonetheless have a sure energy on this alternate. The commerce between the Kings and the Nuggets has not but been finalized, and even when this takes place, Denver should launch Valancunas from his contract to conclude an settlement overseas.
The provoke of the NBA, Marc Stein, reported on Saturday that the Nuggets would all the time move with commerce within the hope of convincing Valancunas to remain in Denver.
“The nuggets are going forward with their commerce for Jonas Valančiūnas on Sunday and Stay Decided to maintain the veteran massive man they hope to put in as their backup to nikola jokić… Regardless of valančiūnas’ Provide from Greek Giants Panathinaikos, League Sources Inform [The Stein Line]”Stein posted.
The nuggets are going forward with their commerce for Jonas Valančiūnas on Sunday and Stay Decided to Hold the Veteran Massive Man to put in as their Backup to Nikola Jokić… Regardless of Valančiūnas’ Provide from Greek Giants Panathinaikos, League Sources Inform @Thestinline. https://t.co/jv0clvgcq7 pic.twitter.com/lsro8e0g6r
– Marc Stein (@thesteinline) July 5, 2025
“Valančiūnas arrived in Greece earlier this weekend to fulfill Panathinaikos officers, however he can not signal with the Euroleague workforce except he’s launched from his NBA contract, which Denver acquired Sacramento on Sunday in an alternate of Dario Šarić,” stated Stein.
Valancunas can be a wonderful backup middle for nuggets, but when the veteran is made within the NBA and needs to discover a brand new alternative in Greece, it’s troublesome for Denver to cease it, even when they will technically forestall it.