NBA roundup: Nuggets delay Valančiūnas guarantee, Pistons pick up Jones, Mavericks monitor injuries
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DENVER — The Nuggets and center Jonas Valančiūnas have moved the full-salary guarantee date on the final season of his contract from June 29 to July 8, giving the front office an extra nine days to evaluate options, the Stein Line reported.
The final year of Valančiūnas’s deal is worth $10 million and now carries a $2 million partial guarantee even if he is waived before July 8. The 32-year-old’s contract still runs through 2026-27. The later deadline could facilitate a July trade for teams seeking immediate cap relief, and keeping him would leave Denver free to discuss an extension.
Valančiūnas, who had explored a possible move to Panathinaikos before Denver acquired him to back up Nikola Jokić, is averaging 8.3 points and 4.6 rebounds in 11.9 minutes over seven appearances.
Pistons claim Isaac Jones off waivers
Detroit filled its 15th roster slot by claiming forward Isaac Jones, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Sacramento released Jones earlier in the week to open a spot for Precious Achiuwa.
Jones is set to earn roughly $2 million this season, with approximately $191,000 guaranteed. Because Detroit assumed the contract, the Kings remove the deal from their cap sheet. The 24-year-old logged 40 NBA games last season, averaging 7.6 minutes, and posted stronger numbers in the G League.
Mavericks injury updates
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said forward Anthony Davis, sidelined by a left calf strain, is feeling better and is considered day-to-day, Dallas Hoops Journal’s Grant Afseth reported. Davis has missed the past three games.
Kidd added that rookie center Dereck Lively has resumed on-court work. The team hopes Lively, out for five contests, can return next week.
Source: Hoops Wire
