The Denver Nuggets have knowledgeable Jonas Valanciunas’ representatives that the franchise absolutely expects the middle to honor his contract, group sources informed ESPN.
The Nuggets agreed to a commerce with the Sacramento Kings to amass Valanciunas for Dario Saric. Denver knowledgeable Valanciunas that it’ll not let him out of the remaining two years on his contract. Valanciunas has been pursued by Greece’s Panathinaikos.
The commerce between Denver and Sacramento has but to turn into official.
The Nuggets have the 6-foot-11 veteran heart slated to play a pivotal position as Nikola Jokic’s backup. Denver has lengthy looked for a middle to assist the Nuggets when Jokic is off the ground resting.
Valanciunas, who averaged 10.4 factors and seven.7 rebounds for the Kings and Wizards final season, will make $10.3 million this coming season and has $10 million left on the next season. The ultimate 12 months of his contract is nonguaranteed.
Valanciunas’ NBA contract is binding and doesn’t permit him to pursue different skilled alternatives except either side attain an settlement on a buyout, based on ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
Denver’s new entrance workplace of Ben Tenzer and Jon Wallace has been busy retooling the group this offseason. Along with agreeing to commerce for Valanciunas, Denver swung a deal to maneuver Michael Porter Jr. and an unprotected 2032 first-round choose to the Brooklyn Nets for ahead Cameron Johnson, sources informed ESPN.
The Nuggets additionally agreed to signal free brokers Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. to provide Jokic extra assist as effectively.