Jonas Valanciunas didn’t expect his summer plans to hit a wall. After over a decade in the NBA, he was eyeing a fresh start overseas with Panathinaikos Athens. He even flew to Greece and started his medicals, thinking a three-year, $13 million net deal was just around the corner. Sounds like a done deal, right? Not quite. The Denver Nuggets, who just traded for him from Sacramento, suddenly stepped in and made it clear: they’re not letting him walk that easily.
So what’s stopping him now? According to Marc Stein, the Nuggets are “determined to keep” him unless he agrees to a buyout. But that’s where the roadblock begins. Valanciunas is guaranteed $10.4 million this coming season, with a $10 million team option after that. That’s solid money, but the EuroLeague offer brings more years and a bigger role.
The Nuggets are “optimistic” that Jonas Valanciunas will be in Denver this season, per @TheSteinLine
Behind the scenes, the Nuggets are signaling to Valanciunas that they do not intend to let him out of his NBA contract.
Stein’s latest: https://t.co/1fXzWaUxRa pic.twitter.com/pGdpqfnMOD
— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) July 6, 2025
When asked why he might want to leave, insiders point to the chance to “be the guy” on a contending Euro team. But Denver isn’t budging. They’re reportedly “optimistic” he’ll stay. The problem? His heart might already be in Athens. So now, he’s stuck between two teams, and $14 million might hang in the balance.
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