No, wait — that headline is clickbait nonsense. Here’s the actual story.
Despite the dramatic framing some might push, the Denver Nuggets are not mounting a last-second effort to keep or “steal” Jonas Valanciunas. In reality, the organization is preparing to move on from the veteran big man as part of a necessary summer shake-up.
From the moment last season began, there were quiet but persistent questions about Valanciunas’ commitment to the Nuggets. The Lithuanian center had received interest from a European team and reportedly preferred to be there. Contractually obligated to honor his deal in Denver, Valanciunas did show up — but his effort and impact visibly waned as the year progressed. The idea that he could reliably spell Nikola Jokić and provide quality minutes quickly faded.
By the playoffs, the situation had become untenable. Valanciunas averaged a mere 6.3 minutes across just four games, a clear sign that the Nuggets’ trust in him had evaporated. Heading into the offseason, it is now considered a near-certainty that Denver will not retain him beyond his partially non-guaranteed contract.
The Nuggets can absorb approximately $2 million of the $10 million he is owed and allow him to walk. While the team has until early July to make the official decision, the minimal role he played in the postseason suggests that call has effectively already been made.
Turning the Page: A Fresh Look at the Center Position
Rather than doubling down on the current backup plan, Denver appears ready to pivot. One name generating internal interest is Zuby Ejiofor, a rising prospect the Nuggets scouted closely at the NBA Combine.
Ejiofor, listed at 6-foot-7.5 without shoes, compensates with elite length — a 7-foot-2 wingspan and an 8-foot-11 standing reach. While not yet a polished shooter, he has flashed improvement potential and plays with the kind of energy, physicality, and defensive instincts that translate quickly at the NBA level. In his most recent college season, he posted strong averages of 16.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game.
With the Nuggets holding the No. 26 pick in the upcoming draft (absent a trade), Ejiofor represents a realistic target in the first round. He is one of several intriguing big-man prospects who could be available, alongside names like Tarris Reed, Henri Veesaar, and Alex Karaban. Drafting a developmental yet high-upside center aligns with Denver’s need to find a more reliable and motivated backup for Jokić.
A Busy Offseason Ahead
Letting Valanciunas go is just one piece of a larger puzzle. The Nuggets were bounced in the first round as the No. 3 seed by the No. 6-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves, exposing roster and depth concerns that must be addressed.
Key decisions loom on restricted free agent Peyton Watson and veteran wing Tim Hardaway Jr. Trade discussions are expected to heat up around Cam Johnson, and the front office may explore moving Aaron Gordon or Christian Braun to manage the salary sheet as their extensions take effect. Even a long-shot Jamal Murray trade has been whispered as a drastic path to financial flexibility.
In that context, addressing the center rotation through the draft feels like one of the more straightforward and promising tasks on Denver’s to-do list.
Bottom Line
The Nuggets aren’t “stealing” Jonas Valanciunas. They’re doing the opposite — methodically moving on from a backup plan that never truly materialized. Whether Zuby Ejiofor or another prospect becomes the next solution remains to be seen, but the direction is clear: Denver is looking forward, not backward, in its search for a better fit behind Nikola Jokić.