It is taken some time for the commerce to undergo, however veteran middle Jonas Valanciunas is formally a member of the Denver Nuggets. On Sunday evening, the Nuggets introduced they acquired Valančiūnas from the Sacramento Kings in alternate for Dario Sarič.

The Lithuanian large man nonetheless has two years left on his present contract at simply over $20.3 million, however he has reportedly acquired a suggestion for three years and $36 million to play for Greek membership Panathinaikos, which might be nearer to residence for Valančiūnas. This commerce turning into official signifies that the Nuggets seemingly haven’t any intention of letting Valančiūnas out of his present deal.

Final season, Valančiūnas performed 81 video games for the Washington Wizards and Kings, beginning 21 of them. He averaged 10.4 factors, 7.7 rebounds and a couple of.0 assists per sport. With the Nuggets, Valančiūnas would play a backup position behind three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic. Whereas Valančiūnas could need to play abroad on an enormous deal whereas getting an even bigger position, that appears unlikely with the commerce now official.

NBA groups denying a participant’s request to play in Europe just isn’t essentially new. Final summer season, the Charlotte Hornets denied Vasilije Mičić the chance to play abroad.

Valančiūnas, 33, can be coming into his 14th NBA season after beginning his professional profession with Lietuvos Rytas of the EuroLeague in 2010-11. All through his profession, Valančiūnas has averaged 13.1 factors, 9.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per sport in 937 appearances. He’ll bolster Denver’s depth because the group seems to be to seize its second NBA title in 4 years.