The Denver Nuggets had a standout offseason with multiple transactions that filled needs on a roster that fell just short of toppling the eventual champion Oklahoma City Thunder in a seven-game playoff series.
A centerpiece of that offseason was a trade for Jonas Valančiūnas, who would provide three-time MVP center Nikola Jokić with a legitimate backup for the first time in years.
As of Tuesday, it remains unclear if Valančiūnas will actually suit up for the Nuggets. Valančiūnas is under contract with Denver on the second year of a three-year, $30.3 million deal. He offered no insight Tuesday on whether he intends to honor that contract amid reports that he wants to play elsewhere.
Valančiūnas speaks
Valančiūnas addressed the subject publicly for the first time since the trade while granting an interview to local media from the B8 Basketball Summit in his home country of Lithuania. The interview was conducted in Lithuanian, so the nuances of his answer are a bit muddled in translation.
But here’s the gist of his stance, per Google translate, when he was asked if he’ll play for the Nuggets next season:
“We will find out only when the first game is played,” Valančiūnas said. “Everything will be clear.”
Valančiūnas was also asked about his Nuggets obligations in terms of his availability to play for Lithuania’s national team for the EuroBasket tournament. Here’s what he had to say about the trade that’s not yet official.
“Once the trade is done we’ll make a plan,” Valančiūnas said. “They’ll express their wishes, how they think, how they see it. … Medical (examination), other details. It will depend on the team.”
That’s not exactly reassuring for the Nuggets and their fans hopeful that they’d finally solved the longstanding challenge of providing solid backup minutes for Jokić.
What’s the holdup?
The hangup is Valančiūnas’ reported desire to play overseas. Valančiūnas reportedly has mutual interest in joining Greek EuroLeague team Panathinaikos. But his NBA contract gives the Nuggets exclusivity over his basketball rights. If Valančiūnas were to play basketball anywhere else, it would require the Nuggets to release him from his contract.
According to ESPN, the Nuggets have no intention of doing so. The plan in Denver is for Valančiūnas to honor his deal. And for good reason.
Why Valančiūnas matters so much for Nuggets
Jokić played 36.7 minutes per game last season, the most of his career by more than two minutes per game. He did so because the Nuggets lacked effective backup options in the post, and the Nuggets were drastically worse when Jokić was off the floor.
Jokić faced two physical matchups in the post in a pair of grueling seven-game playoff series when matched up against Clippers center Ivica Zubac and Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein. With no viable backup, Jokić’s minutes increased in the postseason to 40.2 per game.
At 6-foot-11 and 265 pounds, Valančiūnas is a reliable, physical presence in the post who could provide Jokić with much-needed relief in similar situations. Valančiūnas was an impact player for the Kings and Wizards last season with averages of 10.4 points and 7.7 rebounds in just 18.8 minutes per game.
Those are the exact kind of minutes the Nuggets are seeking in relief of Jokić. As of now, it remains to be seen whether they’ll get them from Valančiūnas.
