Jonas Valanciunas Thrives in Early Days with Denver Nuggets

Denver, Colorado — Jonas Valanciunas is already making an impression in his first games with the Denver Nuggets. Valanciunas, who joined the team after being traded, believes the atmosphere is refreshing compared to his past experiences. “That’s fun basketball. To play to win. That’s meaningful basketball,” he said recently. “Every game matters for us… it’s fun to play these meaningful games.”

The veteran center’s enthusiasm seems to hint at his previous frustration with former teams. Before joining the Nuggets, Valanciunas played for the Kings, Wizards, Pelicans, Grizzlies, and Raptors throughout his 14 seasons in the NBA. Despite making the playoffs eight times, he has only advanced beyond the first round three times and has never reached a conference final.

The last time he made it past the first round was in the 2017-18 season. After enduring years on underperforming teams, Valanciunas finds himself in a new and hopeful environment in Denver.

Interestingly, Valanciunas initially resisted the trade. At one point, he considered retiring and was prepared to sign with a Greek club in the EuroLeague. However, the Nuggets encouraged him to honor his contract, leading him to stay in the league. Since then, he has embraced his role without complaint.

His performance on the court shows his dedication. Valanciunas, who is earning over $10 million this season, now plays a vital backup role for superstar Nikola Jokić and is focused on contributing to the Nuggets’ championship aspirations.

This change in scenery may indeed be a blessing for Valanciunas. Having previously felt his career was winding down, he now finds himself with a chance to pursue a title and possibly finish his career on a high note, including the possibility of returning to Europe.