Denver, CO — Jonas Valanciunas has never been one to dodge tough conversations, and his latest comments have sent ripples through the Nuggets organization as the 2026 offseason heats up.
The veteran center, who serves as Nikola Jokić’s primary backup, is entering the final year of his contract with Denver — a deal that carries a non-guaranteed salary for the upcoming season. With Nuggets president Josh Kroenke openly stating that virtually every player except three-time NBA MVP Jokić is available for trade or release, Valanciunas finds himself in a state of professional limbo.
In a candid interview, the 33-year-old Lithuanian big man refused to sugarcoat his uncertain situation.
“First of all, everything depends on whether they trade me, keep me, or not. That is their decision,” Valanciunas said. “Right now I think their bigger question is what they will do with the roster in general, who stays and who leaves. As far as I understand, only Nikola Jokic is untouchable, while everyone else can be traded.”
The Nuggets’ aggressive stance on roster restructuring has left Valanciunas waiting for clarity. His contract is set to become fully guaranteed on July 8, meaning Denver must decide his fate — whether through a trade, a waiver, or retention — in the coming weeks. Valanciunas hopes the picture becomes clearer by late June or early July.
Despite the uncertainty, the veteran remains focused on what matters most to him: competing at a high level and chasing championships.
“I think everything will be clear in the first week of July, maybe even earlier,” he said. “I want to play, I want to enjoy basketball, and I want to win. I can do everything. My heart is in basketball, not in a specific city or team.”
Valanciunas emphasized his desire to put himself in the best possible position to contend for a title.
“We will see which situation gives me the best chance. I want to win. I have to win. I want to win. I want to win titles, so I want to put myself in the best possible position to do that.”
Should things not work out in Denver, the former No. 5 overall pick has no shortage of options. Valanciunas revealed that multiple teams have already expressed interest, including clubs from his home country of Lithuania, where he played before entering the NBA in 2012.
“Many have paid attention to me. They have contacted me,” he said. “There were talks with two teams and one Lithuanian club. The conversations are ongoing, and we will make a decision when the time comes because Denver has the final say on my contract.”
For Valanciunas, the upcoming season is not a question of if he will play professional basketball, but where. Whether he remains as Jokić’s reliable backup in Denver, finds a new home on a contending team, or returns to Europe, one thing is clear: the veteran is determined to finish his career on his own terms, prioritizing winning above all else.
As the NBA offseason accelerates, all eyes will be on the Nuggets’ front office. With the July 8 guarantee date looming, Valanciunas’ future — and potentially Denver’s depth in the frontcourt — could be decided sooner than expected.