After a powerful offseason, the Denver Nuggets’ summer season strikes have been jeopardized by an odd offseason growth. After buying and selling for Jonas Valanciunas, it appeared that he would depart the Nuggets to play in Greece, leaving them excessive and dry. Happily for the Nuggets, Valanciunas just lately put these rumors to mattress.
“I’m totally dedicated to honoring my contract with the Nuggets this season and can give it my all to compete for a championship,” Valanciunas stated to BasketNews.
The Nuggets’ skill to place the Valanciunas drama behind them has eliminated a cloud of doubt surrounding their roster. They made a number of sturdy strikes this summer season to rework their roster, and, satirically, Valanciunas was key to that. With him beneath contract for subsequent season, and a crew choice for the 2026-27 season, he could possibly be in Denver for the subsequent two years, giving them stability at backup middle.
Jonas Valanciunas is essential to the Nuggets’ offseason
The Nuggets revamped their crew by including Cam Johnson, Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Valanciunas. That ought to dramatically enhance Denver’s ceiling, with Johnson having untapped potential that Nikola Jokic may unlock, to not point out their much-improved depth.
Lately, the Nuggets have shied away from including veterans who may take minutes away from their younger gamers. That is clearly modified with them bringing in 4 vets, together with Valanciunas, to unravel their depth situation.
They need to now be capable of go 10 deep, one thing Nuggets followers may solely dream of final season when the crew ran out of gasoline towards the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder within the West semi-finals.
The Nuggets instantly seem like title contenders once more
Having that instantly fixes the Nuggets’ largest flaw. Valanciunas helps to provide Jokic an precise backup, which can give him much-needed relaxation with out Denver imploding with out him.
It is a easy repair, however one which was desperately wanted and would not have been solvable had they not traded Michael Porter Jr. It price them an unprotected first, however you may’t argue with the outcome. Denver traded Porter Jr. and changed him with Johnson, Brown, Hardaway Jr., and Valancinus, all of whom mix to make lower than Porter Jr.
Not simply that, however the Nuggets nonetheless have the mid-level exception at their disposal. And whereas they danger going into the luxurious tax, if an excellent participant turns into obtainable on the buyout market, they’d be primed to land an affect participant to place them excessive.
With Valanciunas confirming that he’ll play for the Nuggets subsequent season, their offseason roster strikes seem full. With clear enhancements, they need to reemerge as a contender subsequent season.
