Nuggets Restructure Valanciunas’ Contract for Flexibility in Free Agency

DENVER, Colorado — The Denver Nuggets have restructured veteran center Jonas Valanciunas‘ contract, according to league sources. The amendment pushes his guarantee date for the 2026-27 season from June 29 to July 8, allowing the team to explore trade options and manage their roster more effectively.

Under the new terms, Valanciunas will receive at least $2 million of his $10 million non-guaranteed salary next season. This change gives the Nuggets more time to assess their roster and the free agency market before making decisions about Valanciunas, who has been with the team since being acquired from the Sacramento Kings.

Valanciunas, 33, has had a successful career, but he has been traded twice during his three-year, $30 million contract originally signed with the Washington Wizards in 2024. The Nuggets traded for him this past offseason, creating additional depth behind All-Star Nikola Jokic.

“Probably the best situation I ever had to win a championship,” Valanciunas said before the season, expressing his enthusiasm for playing with Denver. Currently, he averages 8.3 points and 4.6 rebounds in about 11 minutes per game.

Nuggets coach David Adelman praised Valanciunas, saying, “His attitude so far has been absolutely everything you could ask for.” Adelman noted that Valanciunas’s willingness to be a team player has been valuable to the team.

The new guarantee date could provide Denver with strategic advantages, especially if they decide to waive or trade Valanciunas, as only the guaranteed portion of his salary will factor into any potential trade discussions. If he remains under contract past the new deadline, his salary will become fully guaranteed.

As the Nuggets navigate their roster and upcoming salary cap issues, having this added flexibility could be crucial to their plans for the 2026-27 season.