Nuggets, Kings Complete Trade Involving Valanciunas, Saric Amid EuroLeague Uncertainty

The trade sending Jonas Valančiūnas from the Sacramento Kings to the Denver Nuggets has been officially completed, despite ongoing uncertainty about Valančiūnas's intentions to leave the NBA for Greece's Panathinaikos. Valančiūnas remains under contract with the Nuggets, who expect him to fulfill the remaining two years, including a $10.4 million salary for the upcoming season and a team option for 2026-27. While Valančiūnas reportedly sought a buyout and was willing to forgo his salary to play in Europe, the Nuggets have no plans to release him from his contract. The Nuggets are bolstering their roster around Nikola Jokic with Valančiūnas as a key backup, alongside other acquisitions such as Cameron Johnson, Bruce Brown, and Tim Hardaway Jr., aiming for greater depth and competitiveness in the Western Conference. Although the trade is finalized, the resolution of Valančiūnas's future playing status remains unclear, as he has been seen meeting with Panathinaikos and giving ambiguous statements about his career. Sacramento fans and the team will miss Valančiūnas, who was a strong backup center, but the trade reflects the business realities of the NBA.