Jonas Valunciunas, an experienced 33-year-old center, has formally signed with the Denver Nuggets after completing a trade. The decision follows a season where he shared time between the Washington Wizards and the Sacramento Kings. Valanciunas is set to embrace his role with the Nuggets, committing to honor his contract and contribute to a championship run.
Valanciunas has one year of full guarantee remaining on his contract at about $10 million. That change of scenery comes in the form of his trade to Denver and Sutton’s excitement about the opportunity was apparent.
“I want to clear the air about my playing situation next season now that Denver has made their decision to keep me,” Valanciunas stated.
Last year, Valanciunas put up 10.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2 dimes a game in 81 games played. His team need him to step up, to bring the vital help home. He’s going to be extremely important for their star, Nikol Jokic, who played a career-high 36.7 minutes per game last year. With Valanciunas on the roster, the Nuggets plan to use him to provide Jokic some much-needed breathers over the course of games.
The Denver front office, under the guidance of Ben Tenzer and Jonathan Wallace, has dangled the carrot of acquiring Valanciunas. This step is an important piece of a larger strategy they are executing. That makes sense given how much this duo has been hard at work retooling the team to make them competitive in the cut-throat league.
He has participated in anything but good faith discussions about respecting his contract. He’s pretty pumped to be a Nugget for real. Tenzer remarked regarding Valanciunas’ transition.
Jonathan Wallace further explained that getting Valanciunas integrated into the fold is at the top of their To-Do list. “Their plan is for him to get here sooner than later, but still working through that,” Wallace said.
Beyond these obligations with the Nuggets, Valanciunas is scheduled to suit up for Lithuania at FIBA EuroBasket this coming summer. This massive international commitment adds yet another layer to his thinly stretched schedule. In doing so, it reveals his remarkable commitment to the sport on multiple levels.
“The idea of playing for Panathinaikos, closer to home, was very exciting to me, but that will have to wait,” Valanciunas added. “I am fully committed to honoring my contract with the Nuggets this season and will give it my all to compete for a championship.”
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