• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Jonas Valančiūnas Is Cryptic About Nuggets Standoff in Lithuania

Valančiūnas was traded to the Nuggets in a deal that still isn’t official, while also seeking a deal overseas with Greek power Panathinaikos.

Jonas
John Hefti-Imagn Images

Jonas Valančiūnas was noncommittal about his NBA future Tuesday after reports surfaced that he verbally agreed to a contract in Greece shortly before being traded by the Kings to the Nuggets for Dario Šarić. 

The trade to Denver isn’t official, but is expected to go through sometime this week after the Nuggets’ trade to acquire Cam Johnson from the Nets for Michael Porter Jr. was announced Tuesday. 

The Nuggets were unaware of Valančiūnas being in talks with EuroLeague power Panathinaikos of Greece while trying to acquire him, a league source told Front Office Sports. Valančiūnas is about to enter the second year of a three-year, $30 million deal he signed with the Kings a year ago. The final year of his deal is not guaranteed. 

While speaking at the B8 Summit in his home country of Lithuania on Tuesday, Valančiūnas was cryptic when discussing his NBA future.

“We’ll only find out when the first game is played,” Valančiūnas said, according to a local television station. “Everything will be clear.”

“When the trade is finalized, we’ll come up with a plan,” Valančiūnas continued. “They [Nuggets] will express their wishes, how they think, how they see it … medical, other details. That will depend on the team.” 

Valančiūnas did not seem to indicate whether he prefers to play in the NBA or Europe next season. Valančiūnas’s comments came after he was asked whether the trade would impact his commitment to play for Lithuania in this summer’s EuroBasket tournament, which starts in August. 

NBA contracts do not let players jump to European teams—unless they’re bought out. Despite the Panathinaikos negotiations, the Nuggets have told Valančiūnas’s agents that they expect him to honor his NBA contract, the league source told FOS. Valančiūnas is represented by Excel Sports. 

Denver targeted Valančiūnas to be a backup center to perennial MVP candidate Nikola Jokić, as part of a massive roster restructuring that saw the departure of Porter and the acquisition of Johnson, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Bruce Brown, the latter of whom was part of the team’s 2023 NBA championship squad. The deals are part of an effort to give the team more depth around Jokić after two early playoff exits since their title. 

Valančiūnas has played the past 13 seasons as a member of the Kings, Raptors, Wizards, Pelicans, and Grizzlies. His NBA career earnings are $145.7 million. 

The flurry of transactions stems from a new-look Nuggets front office co-led by Ben Tenzer and Jon Wallace after the organization shockingly fired GM Calvin Booth and head coach Michael Malone toward the end of the regular season. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Chelsea

Chelsea Club World Cup Run Banks at Least $100M for Mark Walter..

The Blues will likely take home between $100 million and $120 million.
TSU Hockey at Bridgestone

Tennessee State’s HBCU Hockey Ambitions Delayed at Least a Year

The school will not launch the first-of-its-kind program as intended.

Has the WNBA Outgrown the Matinee Madness of Camp Days?

Caitlin Clark will return from injury in a Wednesday noon game.

Betway Parent To Complete U.S. Exodus, Blames Tax Volatility

“Recent regulatory developments” were cited. 

Featured Today

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”
Jul 1, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning at PNC Park.

MLB ASG Missing Many Highly Paid Stars, Clearing Path for Youth

Many of MLB’s top earners are not part of the Midsummer Classic.
Enzo Fernandez
July 8, 2025

Chelsea Players Hawk Club World Cup Tickets on Instagram As Prices Plunge

The semifinals are set for weekday afternoons in New Jersey.
July 8, 2025

Draymond Green Says He Should Be Union President in NBA CBA Rant

The NBPA president is CJ McCollum.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Dewanna Bonner
July 8, 2025

DeWanna Bonner Signs With Phoenix Mercury After Fever Saga

Bonner will rejoin the franchise where she won two titles.
July 7, 2025

How Bradley Beal Buyout Would Save Suns $230M, and What’s Next

Beal has two years and $110 million remaining on his deal.
July 7, 2025

An FSU Amateur Golfer Beat the World’s Best—but Can’t Accept $79K Prize

Top-ranked amateur Lottie Woad won the KPMG Women’s Irish Open.
July 6, 2025

WNBA All-Stars Will Earn $2,575 for Playing in Game

The WNBPA is in the midst of negotiations for a new CBA.