The Denver Nuggets have claimed recognition as one of the early winners of the 2025 NBA offseason.
After trading away Michael Porter Jr. to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for a true difference-maker in Cam Johnson and reuniting with 2023 NBA champion Bruce Brown in free agency on Monday, the Nuggets' new front office regime has made several calculated moves to support their 3-time league MVP and 2023 NBA Finals MVP, Nikola Jokić.
Denver's mission to add complementary pieces that have shown to be conducive to winning did not come to a close with the Johnson and Brown acquisitions, as the Nuggets have reportedly traded for the Sacramento Kings' veteran center and consistent frontcourt option Jonas Valančiūnas in a one-for-one swap for Dario Šarić to offer Jokić some relief as a reserve big.
While Johnson and Brown were some of the biggest fish on the trade and free agency markets, respectively, the addition of Valančiūnas could be viewed as equally important.
"The Denver Nuggets are trading Dario Saric to the Sacramento Kings for Jonas Valanciunas, league sources confirm," HoopsHype's Michael Scotto shared via Twitter/X on Tuesday.
"Nuggets have now added Valanciunas, Bruce Brown, and acquired Cam Johnson via trade since free agency began."
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Throughout the entirety of Jokić's legendary run with the Nuggets, the team has historically failed to provide the all-time great big man with a sufficient frontcourt option to bring in off of the bench.
With Valančiūnas now thrown into the fold, the team welcomes aboard a reliable, experienced and versatile center that can add a new dynamic to their second unit.
The 33-year-old Lithuanian big man participated in 81 contests in 2024-25 while splitting time between the Washington Wizards and Kings, averaging 10.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists in just 18.8 minutes.
Valančiūnas' experience as a key playoff contributor for the Toronto Raptors from 2013-2018 could certainly shine through as he prepares to begin his tenure as a member of the Nuggets, his floor-spacing and overall offensive skillset might be what elevates their bench unit to a new level heading into the 2025-26 campaign.
Denver has successfully re-tooled in an effort to compete for a title in a loaded Western Conference, and Valančiūnas' arrival adds another key figure for prospective opponents to worry about on a night-to-night basis.
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