Nuggets send stern three-word message to Nikola Jokic's newly-acquired backup center

The Denver Nuggets are in a challenging predicament.

Life was good for the franchise on July 1. The Nuggets traded Dario Saric to the Sacramento Kings for Jonas Valanciunas to ensure that Nikola Jokic no longer has to do it all in the frontcourt. 

However, Valanciunas hasn’t made things easy for the 2023 NBA champions, as he unexpectedly revealed his intent to consider playing in Europe next season. 

On Sunday, Denver sent the 33-year-old a stern three-word message, citing that they expect him to ‘honor his contract’ for the 2025-26 campaign (he’s slated to earn $10.4 million).

The Stein Line’s Marc Stein broke down Valanciunas’ situation in further detail. 

“The template for what Valanciunas would need to do to join Panathinaikos played out as recently as last summer,” Stein wrote. 

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“Former EuroLeague MVP Sasha Vezenkov was traded from Sacramento to Toronto and secured the ability in July 2024 to sign with Olympiacos — Panathinaikos' main rival in Greece — by agreeing to forfeit his entire 2024-25 salary of $6.7 million.”

“Valanciunas can make the same offer to the Nuggets, but they are not obligated to accept. The 33-year-old cannot sign or play for another team in the world if he is under contract to an NBA team.”

“Valanciunas is scheduled to make a public appearance in his native Lithuania on Tuesday, so the trip to Athens might merely end up being a quick detour on the way home.”

Valanciunas averaged 10.4 points and 7.7 rebounds per contest while competing with the Kings and Washington Wizards in Year 13. 

It would be asinine for the former first-round pick to pass up the opportunity to play alongside  Jokic, the best player in the world.

Valanciunas could learn a thing or two from the three-time MVP and possibly secure the first title of his career. 

Stay tuned for updates surrounding the 6-foot-11 big man’s looming career decision.

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