Trending Now: 07/04/2025 - Jonas Valanciunas Considering Greece Move

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Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews.com reported Thursday that newly-acquired Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas is weighing an offer to play in Greece.

“BasketNews sources indicate that the Lithuanian national team center was lured by Panathinaikos’ three-year offer worth nearly €12 million net (approximately $13 million).”

Valanciunas’ current NBA contract with Denver is guaranteed through 2025–26 at $10.4 million gross, with a $10 million team option for 2026–27. The Nuggets could choose to decline that option next summer — and it now appears he’s considering jumping ship early.

Impact on the Nuggets

If Valanciunas leaves, it would mark a major blow to a Denver squad that has already overhauled its supporting cast this offseason. Still, the Nuggets have some reinforcements that could soften the blow.

• Daron Holmes, the 22nd pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, will suit up for Summer League after missing his entire rookie year with an injury. Holmes was originally projected to back up Nikola Jokic in year one, and Denver hopes he can now take on a bigger role — either in their rotation or as a trade chip to land another impact big.
• Denver also brought back Bruce Brown, a key piece of their title run, added scoring punch with Tim Hardaway Jr., and swapped Michael Porter Jr. for Cameron Johnson to reshape their wing rotation.

Still, Valanciunas’ potential departure raises questions about how the Nuggets will replicate his size and production behind Jokic on what remains a championship-caliber roster.

Fantasy Outlook

From a fantasy standpoint, Valanciunas has already lost much of his relevance. Even in Denver, he projected as a strong per-minute contributor but a low-minute role player — and his days as a 20–10 nightly threat are clearly behind him.

If he moves to Greece, his NBA value craters. But even if he stays, he’s little more than an injury fill-in or deep-league stash at this point.

I’m not dropping him outright in dynasty — but I’m also not rushing to add him if another manager cuts bait.