Stein: Nuggets still insist on dealing with the King and ask Varan to execute the contract as Jokic substitute

July 6th According to the latest report by Marc Stein, a well-known sports reporter, the Nuggets will officially complete the transaction with the Kings on Jonas Valanciunas after the league lifted the trading freeze on Sunday.

Marc Stein also mentioned: "Although Valanciunas has received an invitation from Greek giant Panathinaikos, the Nuggets are still firmly asking him to fulfill his existing NBA contract and serve as Nikola Jokic's substitute center next season."

Varanciunas' current contract has two years left, of which the salary for the 2025-26 season is US$10.4 million, which is fully guaranteed; 2026-27 season is US$10 million, but is a non-guaranteed contract. Although he has some mutual interest with Panasinaikos, he will not be able to obtain FIBA's international transfer license and sign overseas teams unless the Nuggets formally waive the contract.

It was previously reported that the 33-year-old center has arrived in Athens and is preparing for a medical examination, and then finalized a three-year, worth 12 million euros with Panasinaikos. However, Valanciunas did not accept interviews with reporters at the airport and has not made any comments since being traded to the Nuggets.

According to HoopsHype reporter Michael Scotto, the Nuggets have been trying to introduce Valanciunas for the past few years to solve the team's lack of reliable inside rotation when Jokic is out. This shortcoming was particularly obvious last season and during the playoffs. The Nuggets free up cap space to absorb Valanciunas' contract by sending small forward Michael Porter Jr. to the Nets in exchange for Cameron Johnson. In return, the Kings gained veteran inside Dario Salic. Saric signed with the Nuggets last summer, but has been disappointing in the past season.