Jonas Valanciunas Stresses Commitment to Nuggets, Faces Four-Week Absence with Calf Strain
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Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas said he intends to remain with the team for the entire season, even after receiving “serious interest” from Greek club Panathinaikos during the summer.
“My plan is to be here all season. My plan is to play for Denver,” Valanciunas told BasketNews when asked about the overseas overture. “What happened happened. Now I’m here, and I’m proud to represent Denver.”
The timing of that commitment is significant. The 31-year-old was diagnosed with a right calf strain and will be out at least four weeks, the same projected timetable that fellow center Nikola Jokić is facing. Asked whether he was happy, Valanciunas replied, “Am I happy? No. I’m injured.”
Productive in Limited Minutes
Acquired in the offseason to shore up Denver’s frontcourt depth, the 6-foot-11 veteran has averaged 8.5 points and 4.7 rebounds while shooting nearly 60 percent from the field. Head coach David Adelman recently praised Valanciunas for his reliability and physical presence, citing his extensive track record around the league.
Contract Status
Valanciunas is signed through the 2026-27 campaign, though the final season is non-guaranteed until July 8, 2026, leaving his long-term future in Denver unsettled. For now, he remains focused on returning to the lineup and sharing the frontcourt with Jokić, whom he called “one of the greatest ever” with an “unbelievable” basketball IQ.
The Nuggets avoided the unusual scenario of a rotation big man departing mid-contract for Europe, keeping Valanciunas in place as they navigate simultaneous injuries to their top two centers.
Source: Hoops Wire
