Imagine this – Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas, who was on the verge of moving to European powerhouse Panathinaikos this year, is staying with the Denver Nuggets! Yes, you read that right. While the Greeks offered a whopping 12 million euros over three years, Denver decided not to let go of their key player. NBA insiders say the Nuggets see Valanciunas as the perfect backup for Nikola Jokic, meaning the Lithuanian veteran will remain a cornerstone of the Colorado team.
Valanciunas played this season in Washington and Sacramento, averaging around 10 points and 7-8 rebounds per game, which is no small feat. Still, Panathinaikos was ready to offer him a lucrative contract, but Denver made it clear they won’t allow the transfer. Even trusted NBA insider Shams Charania confirmed that a meeting between the club and the player sealed the deal – Valanciunas will stay in the NBA.
This is a real drama for European basketball fans, as it was expected that the Lithuanian center would strengthen Panathinaikos and return to Europe. Instead, the Denver Nuggets are making serious plans around him, considering him key to the team’s future. And what about Panathinaikos? Looks like they’ll have to keep dreaming about this player.
In a world where millions spin like a conveyor belt, decisions like this show how much NBA clubs value their players and how hard it is to make a transfer even when the offers are tempting. Valanciunas has proven he’s worth the attention, and Denver isn’t letting him go for any price.
If you thought this was the end of the story, think again – the NBA and European basketball are always full of surprises. So, what do you think about Denver’s move? Is Valanciunas a miss for Panathinaikos or a true star for the Nuggets? Drop a comment and let’s see who’s right!
