The Denver Nuggets considered Nikola Jokić’s timeline and decided to upgrade their bench this season.
One of the main focuses was finding him a backup, and they did in Jonas Valančiūnas, but the excitement seemed to be short-lived.
Shortly after the Nuggets traded for him, rumors surfaced that he would be leaving to play closer to home in Europe, specifically in Greece, for Panathinaikos.
Monday, he told Donatas Urbonas of Basket News that he plans on lacing up for the Nuggets, in hopes of bringing them another championship.
“I want to clear the air about my playing situation next season now that Denver has made their decision to keep me. The idea of playing for Panathinaikos, closer to home, was very exciting to me, but that will have to wait.” Valančiūnas told Basket News on Monday. “I am fully committed to honoring my contract with the Nuggets this season and will give it my all to compete for a championship.”
The Nuggets will take into consideration the hesitation when the time comes, whether or not to pick up his team option for the 2026-2027 season.
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Last year, in just about 17 minutes per game, he averaged 8.7 points and 7 rebounds for the Sacramento Kings.
He provides high energy off the bench, and because of Jokić’s extended role, that’s exactly what the Nuggets were searching for.
The Lithuanian native rounds out a great offseason for the Nuggets and provides much-needed bench play behind the three-time MVP.
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