Nuggets Finalize Valančiūnas Trade: EuroLeague Offer Clouds Backup Plans

Panathinaikos’s $13 million pitch has triggered buyout discussions, exposing Denver’s lack of experienced backup if he leaves

Overview

Denver and Sacramento officially completed the trade sending Jonas Valančiūnas to the Nuggets for Dario Saric on July 13, 2025.
Valančiūnas remains under a two-year, roughly $20 million NBA contract with $10.3 million fully guaranteed for next season.
The 6-foot-11 center is slated to serve as Nikola Jokić’s primary backup within Denver’s five-out offensive system.
Panathinaikos’s three-year, $13 million EuroLeague proposal and Valančiūnas’s recent visit to Greece have prompted buyout talks.
With Al Horford expected to join Golden State, the Nuggets have no other veteran pivot option if Valančiūnas opts to return to Europe.