Just when the Denver Nuggets thought they had acquired the perfect luxury backup center in Jonas Valanciunas, a plot twist has emerged from across the Atlantic. The Lithuanian big man, acquired from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Dario Saric, is reportedly eyeing a return to European basketball, specifically with Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos, throwing a wrench into Denver`s carefully laid plans.
Denver`s Desperate Need for a Backup Big
The Nuggets` move for Valanciunas was seen by many as a smart piece of business, especially given their recent struggles finding a reliable center to spell MVP Nikola Jokic. Last season saw them relying on veteran DeAndre Jordan or resorting to playing Aaron Gordon out of position as a small-ball five when Jokic needed a breather. Valanciunas, with his proven ability to score, rebound, and provide a physical presence (averaging 10.4 points and 7.7 rebounds last season between Washington and Sacramento), represented a significant upgrade. The logic was simple: get an experienced, productive big who could hold the fort for crucial minutes, keeping Jokic fresh for the playoff push. His $10.3 million contract for the upcoming season, though the second year is non-guaranteed, seemed a reasonable price for such a potential impact.
The Allure of Athens and a Starring Role
Enter Panathinaikos. The storied Greek club has reportedly offered Valanciunas a substantial three-year contract worth €12 million ($12.9 million USD) and, crucially, a starring role. In Europe, Valanciunas wouldn`t be a backup; he`d be *the man*, a focal point of the offense and defense. This appeal, coupled with the potential desire to return to a more “familiar” environment closer to his native Lithuania, appears to be swaying the center. Reports out of Greece suggest Valanciunas has traveled to Athens and is seriously considering making the jump, much to the delight of Panathinaikos fans who haven`t seen a Lithuanian star of this caliber join them since Sarunas Jasikevicius 18 years ago. It`s perhaps understandable why the prospect of being a European star might be more enticing than being Jokic`s very capable, but still secondary, understudy in Denver.
Did Sacramento Play the Long Con?
The unexpected development raises questions about the Sacramento Kings` perspective on the trade. On the surface, swapping Valanciunas for Saric looked like a move that saved the Kings roughly $5 million in salary and potentially gave them an asset (Saric) to package in another trade, perhaps for someone like Golden State`s Jonathan Kuminga (though that offer was reportedly rejected). However, knowing the Kings` history of, shall we say, *creative* roster management, one has to wonder if they were aware of Valanciunas`s potential interest in returning to Europe. Did the Kings, for once, manage to pull a fast one, offloading a player who might not even report to his new team while saving cash and acquiring a player they could potentially flip? The thought is almost too symmetrical for Sacramento`s usual chaotic approach.
Denver`s Sticky Situation and the Jokic Factor
Denver, naturally, is not keen on being left holding the bag. They are reportedly holding firm, banking on Valanciunas`s current NBA contract. To play in Europe, he would typically need a contractual release from the Nuggets. Denver believes they have the leverage. But what happens if Valanciunas simply refuses to report or play in the NBA? Would the Nuggets really stand their ground, effectively holding the player hostage? That seems unlikely. Such a move would generate fierce criticism online and among NBA players, potentially damaging the franchise`s reputation. It`s a bad look, and bad looks tend to stick.
The only real path forward for Denver is to convince Valanciunas that his future is in Colorado. While new executives Ben Tenzer and Jon Wallace will undoubtedly try their best, perhaps the only person who could truly sway the big Lithuanian is the reigning MVP himself. Imagine the scene: Nikola Jokic, the basketball savant from Sombor, Serbia, sitting down face-to-face with Valanciunas, pitching him on the vision of competing for another NBA championship together. It`s a compelling thought. Of course, recent sightings of Jokic have him focused on his first love: horse racing (his horse won, naturally). One can only hope he can briefly divert his attention from the track to the hardwood to help secure his much-needed backup.
The situation remains fluid, a three-team dance with a potential European detour. Denver acquired their target but might not get to keep him, Sacramento potentially looks smarter than expected, and Panathinaikos dreams of landing a star. The NBA offseason, it seems, always has room for unexpected drama.
