Jonas Valanciunas blocked by Denver: Lithuanian center caught between NBA and Panathinaikos

An unexpected saga is stirring up the start of this NBA Free Agency. Jonas Valanciunas, recently traded from the Sacramento Kings to the Denver Nuggets for Dario Saric, finds himself at the center of a conflict between his European ambitions and his new franchise’s plans.

The 33-year-old Lithuanian center has desires to return to Europe, particularly to Panathinaikos. According to journalist Marc Stein, Valanciunas even traveled to Athens to negotiate with the Greek club and reportedly reached an agreement for a three-year contract worth approximately 12 million euros net of taxes.

Denver determined to keep their new center

But the Nuggets are not making things easy. The Colorado franchise is « determined » to retain the Lithuanian and wants him to become Nikola Jokic‘s backup at center. Denver’s objective is clear: convince Valanciunas to stay at least one more year in the NBA and not join Greece before 2026.

The problem for the center is that he remains under contract with the NBA until 2027 for a total amount of $20.3 million. Without the Nuggets‘ agreement to release him, he won’t be able to sign with Panathinaikos, despite the advanced negotiations.

This situation creates a real dilemma for both parties. If Valanciunas decides to forfeit his $10.4 million salary for next season, Denver would recover their « non-tax mid-level exception » of $14.1 million to sign another free agent.

The standoff between Jonas Valanciunas and the Denver Nuggets is just beginning. Both sides will now have to find common ground in this summer saga that could drag on. The Lithuanian center, who seemed to have found his exit route to Europe, ultimately finds himself trapped by his new NBA franchise’s ambitions.