Nuggets Acquire Valanciunas for Backup Center Role

DENVER, Colorado — The Denver Nuggets have made a significant move in their ongoing quest for a reliable backup for center Nikola Jokic, trading for Jonas Valanciunas from the Sacramento Kings this summer. As Valanciunas prepares for his new role, he faces the challenge of stepping into a position that has historically been difficult for the franchise.

The Nuggets have sought a suitable backup for Jokic for years, first trying out Jusuf Nurkic, who was benched by head coach Michael Malone just 25 games into his third season. This created tension between Nurkic and the team, as he had been drafted alongside Jokic in 2014.

Mason Plumlee served as a stable option for over three years, helping maintain a modest net rating when Jokic was off the court. However, after Plumlee left for the Detroit Pistons, the Nuggets struggled to find a capable replacement. They drafted Zeke Nnaji and explored various options, including JaMychal Green and Paul Millsap, but faced inconsistencies and underutilization.

Isaiah Hartenstein, who was acquired in a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers, saw limited playtime, averaging just 9.1 minutes per game before being moved again. Subsequently, the Nuggets signed DeMarcus Cousins during a difficult season and later turned to DeAndre Jordan in hopes of stabilizing their backup center position.

This cycle of roster changes continued, leading to the recent addition of Valanciunas. The 31-year-old center brings a wealth of experience with over 900 NBA games under his belt and a strong track record as a scorer and rebounder.

“He’s so consistent down there and strong, and gets his own rebound if he does miss,” said guard Jamal Murray during preseason. “I think he’s going to be a problem for the other team.”

The Nuggets hope Valanciunas will help bridge the gap in performance between Jokic’s playing and resting minutes, which has been a significant issue in the past.

Denver’s recent history illustrates this struggle. Their net rating has often plummeted when Jokic is off the court, making the search for a dependable backup crucial. The team is optimistic that Valanciunas can restore stability.

“We want to build a style of offense around depth and versatility,” coach David Adelman said. “Jonas fits that mold perfectly.”