Report: Nuggets want Valanciunas to honor deal amid Greece rumors
The Denver Nuggets have informed representatives for Jonas Valanciunas that they intend for the newly acquired center to honor his contract amid a pursuit by Greek side Panathinaikos, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.
The Nuggets landed Valanciunas earlier in the offseason in a trade with the Sacramento Kings for Dario Saric, though it has yet to become official.
The 13-year NBA veteran reportedly traveled to Athens after the deal in hopes of a move to the Greek EuroLeague squad. Valanciunas' contract is binding, and leaving would require the Nuggets to buy him out.
Valanciunas, 33, has two years remaining on his current contract, and the Nuggets acquired him to play backup center behind three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.
Valanciunas averaged 10.4 points and 7.7 rebounds across 81 appearances split between the Kings and Washington Wizards last season. He's set to pocket $10.3 million in 2025-26 and an additional $10 million for the 2026-27 campaign.
The former fifth overall pick by the Toronto Raptors in the 2011 draft is one of several offseason transactions for the Nuggets. The team shipped Michael Porter Jr. and an unprotected first-round pick in 2032 to the Brooklyn Nets for forward Cameron Johnson. Denver also signed former Nuggets role player Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. in free agency.