Valanciunas Confirms Commitment to Denver Nuggets Amid Panathinaikos Rumors

Future with the Nuggets

Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas addressed speculation regarding his future in a recent interview with Donatas Urbonas from BasketNews. After a lengthy saga involving negotiations with both Panathinaikos and the Denver Nuggets, Valanciunas clarified his situation for the upcoming season. “I want to clear the air about my playing situation next season now that Denver has made their decision to keep me,” he stated. Valanciunas emphasized his commitment to the Nuggets, expressing his dedication to competing for the championship this season.

Excitement for Panathinaikos

The idea of joining Panathinaikos, a club closer to his home, was certainly appealing to Valanciunas. He noted, “The thought of playing for Panathinaikos was very exciting for me, but it has to wait.” Despite earlier enthusiasm and even undergoing medical examinations in Greece, he confirmed that he would remain under contract with the Nuggets following a trade from Sacramento to Denver.

Contractual Obligations

This situation arose amid discussions about his contractual commitments. After the completion of the trade to the Nuggets, Valanciunas was widely believed to be bound by his agreement with the team. Following various exchanges and statements, particularly from Panathinaikos owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos, the matter has been settled, at least for this season.

Future Possibilities

Looking ahead, Valanciunas does have an option in his contract for the following year, suggesting that a move to Europe could still be a possibility in the summer of 2026. The center’s focus, however, remains firmly on achieving success with the Nuggets during the current season.

In summary, while fans and analysts had speculated about a potential move to Greece, Valanciunas made it clear that he is fully committed to the Nuggets as they aim for an NBA championship this year