A sneaky move by Jonas Valanciunas that could come in handy in trade talks

Veterans Center Jonas Valanciunas and the Denver Nuggets they reportedly have their options open for next season. Valanciunas considered committing to the team in Greece before being traded by the Sacramento Kings to the Nuggets over the summer. The 33-year-old center is in the penultimate year of his three-year, $30.2 million contract, worth $10 million through the 2026-27 campaign.

Depending on how this season goes as Nikola Jokic’s backup on the All-Star Nuggets, Valanciunas could turn into merchant chip to the Nuggets next summer, according to Jake Fisher of The Stein Line.

“League sources say the Nuggets and Valanciunas have mutually agreed to move the guaranteed date on his 2026-27 salary from June 29 to July 8. The change will give Denver some more leeway to potentially use Valanciunas’ salary in an offseason trade, not before deciding on his June 3, 2009 free agency,” Fisher reported. “The 33-year-old will also be eligible for an extension with the Nuggets after this season if he decides he’s willing to stay in the NBA a little longer.”

“However, the later guarantee date means Valanciunas cannot become a free agent until the league’s annual moratorium is lifted during the first week of free agency.”

Valanciunas is averaging 8.3 points on 53.5% shooting and 4.6 rebounds in 11.9 minutes per game so far for the Nuggets.

Jonas Valanciunas agrees to new deal with Nuggets

Nuggets veteran The addition of Jonas Valanciunas added depth to the squad in addition to the offseason moves of Cam Johnson, Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr., as the Nuggets will look to compete in the middle of a competitive Western Conference. Still, Valanciunas and the Nuggets could be a one-year deal, as Jonas is in the final stages of a long NBA career.

“To secure Valanciunas’ agreement to the new arrangement, which could make him more attractive in a trade to teams looking to take a pay cut, sources say Valanciunas’ $10 million salary for next season will now pay him at least $2 million no matter what,” Fisher said. “That’s even if the Nuggets or the team that trades for him decide to waive the bruising Lithuanian before the guarantee date.”

“Prior to the amendment, Valanciunas’ $10 million salary for the 2025/2026 season could have been reduced to zero if Denver (or the team that traded for him) released him by June 29. How this season plays out and how important Valanciunas’ role as Nikola Jokic’s backup proves to be will certainly depend on how Denver and Fitzgerald’s contract concludes for sure.”

The Nuggets beat the Heat 122-112 on Wednesday to improve to 5-2 in the regular season.