After a brief flirtation with Europe, Jonas Valanciunas will remain in the NBA.
Valanciunas said Monday he is “fully committed” to joining the Denver Nuggets next season, despite eyeing a move to Greek club Panathinaikos.
“The idea of playing for Panathinaikos, closer to home, was very exciting to me, but that will have to wait. I am fully committed to honouring my contract with the Nuggets this season and will give it my all to compete for a championship,” Valanciunas said, per Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews.
The Nuggets traded for the Lithuania native Valanciunas earlier in July, only for reports to emerge about his interest in Greece despite having two years and more than $20 million remaining on his contract.
Valanciunas, 33, is coming off a season in which he split time between Washington and Sacramento. He averaged 10.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and two assists over 81 games.
Denver is counting on him to give superstar centre Nikola Jokic the occasional breather. The 30-year-old Jokic averaged a career-high 36.7 minutes per game last season.
Nuggets executive vice president of basketball operations Ben Tenzer attempted to tamp down any conjecture over Valanciunas’ arrival during a news conference Friday that was set up to introduce Cam Johnson, who arrived in a trade with Brooklyn.
“There’s been nothing but healthy conversations in terms of him honouring his contract and him excited to be a Nugget,” Tenzer said of Valanciunas.
So, no concerns that Valanciunas might not be with the Nuggets to start the season?
“No concerns,” Tenzer said.
Now, it appears Valanciunas himself has put the idea to rest too.