Overview
- Denver and Valanciunas moved the salary guarantee date from June 29 to July 8 on his 2026–27 year, per multiple reports.
- His previously fully non‑guaranteed $10 million for 2026–27 now carries a $2 million partial guarantee if he is waived before the new date.
- The later trigger increases Denver’s options to keep, trade, or extend the veteran center while preserving his team‑control through the moratorium.
- He cannot reach free agency until after the league’s early‑July moratorium, a timing shift that can boost trade appeal for cap‑managing teams.
- Valanciunas, acquired from the Kings for Dario Saric after showing interest in Panathinaikos, has been Denver’s backup center, averaging 8.3 points and 4.6 rebounds in 11.9 minutes through seven games.