By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Jonas Valanciunas is highly likely to depart the Denver Nuggets this summer, marking the beginning of a complex offseason as the franchise reconfigures its roster.
The 34-year-old Lithuanian veteran holds a $10 million contract option for next season, and the front office has secured a $2 million portion of that deal. Management must navigate distinct financial pathways to facilitate a separation, including orchestrating a trade or absorbing the financial weight.
Meanwhile, Valanciunas is drawing strong interest from EuroLeague clubs, following a previous offseason bid by Panathinaikos Aktor. Zalgiris has reportedly proposed a guaranteed two-year deal worth at least €2 million per season. Moving across the Atlantic would allow the Utena native to play closer to his homeland while securing a more prominent on-court role.
He recently addressed his future on the Pikenrolas show on 15min, stating, “I received attention. Yes, there were talks with one team, another team, and the Lithuanian club. There are discussions, and we are deciding. But the final word belongs to Denver.”
“It depends on whether they trade me, keep me, or not,” he added. “I think everything will be clear in the first week of July, or maybe even earlier.”
Valanciunas ruled out forcing a move or retiring from the NBA.
“I’m not the kind of player who would go and get angry with everyone,” he explained. “I only get upset if there’s a reason, and right now there isn’t one. I wasn’t disrespected, and the team hasn’t done anything wrong, so I can’t just refuse to show up.”
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