Valančiūnas Becomes Free Agent
Denver Nuggets Waive Veteran Center Jonas Valančiūnas, Opening Door for NBA Teams or European Return
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Key Points
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Once Valančiūnas clears waivers, interested teams will be free to negotiate directly with him, without surrendering players or draft assets in a trade.
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Valančiūnas posted double-doubles in four consecutive seasons for the Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans from 2019 to 2023, underscoring his sustained interior production.
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Valančiūnas has suited up for six NBA teams since 2012 (Raptors, Grizzlies, Pelicans, Wizards, Kings, Nuggets), reflecting a long, journeyman career.
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BasketNews reports Zalgiris Kaunas won the race to sign Valančiūnas if he clears waivers, beating competing clubs with a planned two-year deal.
The Denver Nuggets have waived center Jonas Valančiūnas, cutting the 34-year-old veteran before a $10 million guarantee kicked in for the 2026-27 season, according to Yahoo Sports. Valančiūnas, who averaged 8.7 points and 5.1 rebounds in limited minutes this past season as Nikola Jokić's backup, is now available to any NBA team willing to claim him on waivers.
Once he clears the 48-hour waiver period, Valančiūnas becomes an unrestricted free agent — meaning interested teams can sign him without giving up any players or draft picks, per Basketball Sphere. He will still receive roughly $2 million regardless of where he lands next.
A Disappointing Denver Stint Ends Early
Valančiūnas never found a rhythm in Denver. Backing up a three-time MVP in Jokić left him with little room to contribute, and the Nuggets decided his $10 million price tag was too steep for what he delivered, according to Yahoo Sports. The decision was made before that salary guaranteed for next season, limiting the financial damage for Denver.
The Nuggets will still owe him around $2 million as part of an existing commitment, per Denver Stiffs. It is a modest cost to clear the roster spot and payroll flexibility heading into the offseason.
Knicks Among Teams Eyeing Veteran Big Man
Multiple NBA teams are expected to show interest in Valančiūnas once he is free to sign, according to Basketball Sphere. The New York Knicks are among the clubs monitoring him closely. The Knicks need frontcourt depth behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond, per Daily Knicks.
Knicks president Leon Rose has a longstanding relationship with Valančiūnas, which could give New York an edge in any pursuit, per Daily Knicks. Still, some analysts warn the Knicks should weigh whether adding a declining veteran big man fits their long-term plans.
Valančiūnas Brings a Long NBA Résumé to the Table
Valančiūnas has played for six NBA franchises since entering the league in 2012 — the Toronto Raptors, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, Washington Wizards, Sacramento Kings, and now the Nuggets. His best years came in Memphis and New Orleans, where he posted double-doubles in four straight seasons from 2019 to 2023, per Basketball Sphere.
That sustained interior production makes him attractive as a veteran backup on a contending team, per Basketball Sphere. He is a physical, reliable presence in the paint — even if his peak is behind him.
Europe Calls: Zalgiris Kaunas Ready to Pounce
If no NBA team claims Valančiūnas, a return to Europe looks likely. BasketNews reports that Zalgiris Kaunas — the Lithuanian club where Valančiūnas built his name before the NBA — has already won the race among European teams to sign him. The deal would be a two-year contract, per Basketball Sphere.
Zalgiris beat out other competing clubs for his signature, according to Basketball Sphere. For Valančiūnas, a homecoming to Lithuania would be a meaningful next chapter after more than a decade in the NBA.
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