Valantsiou Data: What does the Nuggets attitude mean and what Panathinaikos is waiting for

The Post by Valid Mark Stein how Nuggets count on Jonas Valancina and intend to keep him in their ranks somewhat compressed the case of the Lithuanian center that is not so… procedural to come to the Panathinaicas it was originally seemed.

Denver will proceed with the exchange for the 33 -year -old center, which has been agreed for days but can be formalized today from 19:00 onwards. The champions of 2023 did not know the intentions of Valanci when they agreed to acquire him by exchange from them Kings sending in place the Dario Saric. Indeed, it is said that in Sacramento they were aware of Valanci’s wishes, but they did not share this information with the Nuggets and if this Trade had not been done, the Lithuanian might have already been free (by the Kings) for Panathinaikos.

Nuggets acquired the 33 -year -old ace because they want to frame the Nikola Yokic With a very good back up, something that the Serbian center was pushing them after the exhausting last season. They are now leaking that they do not want to let him go free but it seems like Valancias has made his decisions and is not going to change attitude. He wants to return to Europe, claim titles and play a leading role.

What can this Nuggets leak mean? Probably that They will not even discuss the release of Valancia if he does not give up his entire contract for 2025/26that is, if he does not give them the $ 10.35 million provided. In this case they will save a lot of money and look for a replacement, with (very economical at 39) al -Horford being a candidate, since he has not yet agreed with a team after leaving the Celtics.

The possibility of… the Nuggets are moaning and holding Valancias despite his will in the team, does not concentrate much. Let alone the moment Lithuanu’s agent Jeff Schwartz also represents players with the two biggest contracts in Denver, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. They will hardly break up with such a good partner …

If the Nuggets do not release Valancina, it should not be excluded the possibility of choosing to replace him again. That is, to find a team that will provide them with some rewards (living or future picnics) in order to give Lithuanian and then to seek his new team to release from his new team. It will not be difficult to find interested teams, which would be happy to get the $ 10 million of his contract to resolve it immediately with him to give a large part of it if not a whole. Basic candidates for this would be teams without racing goals, but with the intention of burning next season to prepare their future.

In any case, although the Valanciou case has been involved, It has not sank and the odds are in favor of being completed, even with a few days more delayed. In any case, the player’s intention is clear, and it was also evident from his arrival in Greece for medical examinations, in order to save time as he begins preparation with Lithuania for Eurobasket in a few days. It is noted that as long as Valancias remains free, it will have to be 48 hours where he will be on the Waivers List. From there he will be able to acquire any team he wishes by taking over his contract. But the past has taught (and from the familiar cases of Vezenkov and Petrounev) that when a player has said in all directions and anyone interested in not wanting to continue in the NBA, no team will bother to get it.