NBA Breaking News: The Latest on the Nuggets' Valanciunas Drama

Earlier this month, just two days after the Denver Nuggets traded for veteran Jonas Valanciunas to be their backup center next season, it appeared that he was about to bolt the NBA and sign with a team in Greece. But then a few days later, the Nuggets insisted they would force the big Lithuanian to honor his contract, which still has one guaranteed year to run.

Now, after a couple of weeks of controversy, the Nuggets, seemingly speaking only for themselves, feel at ease with the whole thing, and say that JV is "excited" to be a Denver Nugget.

Ben Tenzer on Jonas Valanciunas:

“We’ve had great conversations with him.”

“There’s been nothing but healthy conversations in terms of him honoring his contract and him him excited to be a Nugget.” pic.twitter.com/UFCL16usct
— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) July 18, 2025

At a press conference on Friday to introduce newly-acquired forward Cameron Johnson, new Nuggets vice president of basketball operations Ben Tenzer was adamant that all was good and that Valanciunas would be reporting to training camp in Denver.

“We've had great conversations with him, and there's been nothing but healthy conversations in terms of him honoring his contract and him excited to be a Denver Nugget," said Tenzer. He also added that there are “no concerns” about whether Valanciunas would, in fact, honor his contract.

This flies in the face of other recent reports, including this one from reporter Dusty Garza:

Times are changing. An NBA player under contract is walking away to play in Europe. The Nuggets traded for Jonas Valančiūnas expecting him to be a key part of their rotation, but his decision is final. The Panathinaikos deal was in place a year ago. Despite what some NBA media… pic.twitter.com/NRu9eG2T6d
— SpursRΞPORTΞR (@SpursReporter) July 6, 2025

Garza reported that Valanciunas's decision "is final. The Panathinaikos deal was in place a year ago. Despite what some NBA media are reporting, he is not negotiating — he is leaving and signing there."

Then there's this from EuroLeague reporter Frank EQ, responding to the Nuggets' talking points today:

My beloved Katy i strongly disagree with Mr Tenzer please dm me to discuss this in depth.
— Frank EQ (@Frank_EQ_) July 18, 2025

Hmm.

Maybe this isn't quite over just yet.

Has anyone seen Valanciunas post anything or say anything in public about his "excitement" to join the Nuggets?

JV averaged 10.4 points and 7.7 boards per game in about 19 minutes a night last season split between the Sacramento Kings and the Washington Wizards. He would be the most accomplished backup center the Nuggets have provided for Jokic in his 10 NBA seasons.

In his 13-year career, Valanciunas has averaged 13.1 points per game with 9.3 rebounds, all as a starter until this past season.