The Denver Nuggets have officially waived veteran center Jonas Valanciunas, marking a key moment in the NBA offseason. As seen in a trending post on r/nba, this decision comes just before his contract was set to become fully guaranteed at $10 million on July 8, 2026.
Why it matters: Waiving Valanciunas allows the Nuggets to save $8 million against their salary cap, a necessary move as they navigate a complex financial situation this offseason.
The Nuggets will owe Valanciunas $2 million for the 2026-27 season due to contract guarantees.
His departure opens up a roster spot for the team, which is looking to solidify its frontcourt depth.
Valanciunas averaged 12.8 points and 9.0 rebounds over 14 NBA seasons but struggled to maintain a consistent role with Denver.
Driving the news: The decision to waive Valanciunas was influenced by the Nuggets' desire to avoid a staggering $177 million luxury tax penalty. This penalty would arise if they extended forward Peyton Watson to a $25 million per year contract.
Denver's total salary obligations would exceed $225 million if they retained Valanciunas and signed Watson, complicating their financial flexibility.
The largest luxury tax bill in NBA history was $176.9 million, paid by the Golden State Warriors in the 2023-24 season.
By waiving Valanciunas, the Nuggets can strategically manage their finances moving forward.
State of play: Valanciunas's exit from the Nuggets comes after a season where he logged five consecutive DNP-CDs (Did Not Play - Coach's Decision) in March and averaged only 8.7 points and 5.1 rebounds in 65 games.
His role diminished as the season progressed, and the Nuggets now boast a new center trio of Nikola Jokic, Marvin Bagley, and DaRon Holmes.
With the Nuggets opting to move on from Valanciunas, they are positioned to explore other options to fill the void left in their frontcourt.
The big picture: The Nuggets are undergoing a roster transformation aimed at maximizing their championship potential. Waiving Valanciunas is a step in that direction.
Valanciunas has drawn interest from teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks, but both have recently filled their center needs.
There are rumors that Valanciunas may look to continue his career overseas, with multiple offers reportedly on the table from European clubs.
He had previously considered a lucrative offer from Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens last summer before honoring his contract with Denver.
What they're saying: Analysts and insiders are weighing in on the implications of this move for both Valanciunas and the Nuggets.
According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, the Nuggets' decision reflects their strategy to avoid punitive luxury tax penalties.
Marc Stein and Jake Fischer noted that Valanciunas's proven size and experience make him an attractive option for teams needing a backup center.
“NBA interest in the 34-year-old only seems to be growing,” they reported, highlighting the demand for experienced big men.
By the numbers: Valanciunas's performance statistics provide insight into his value.
Over his 14-year NBA career, he has averaged 12.8 points and 9.0 rebounds per game.
During the 2025-26 season, he averaged 8.7 points and 5.1 rebounds in 65 games, with a 58.2% field goal percentage.
His contract situation was particularly pressing, as the $10 million would become fully guaranteed just two days after the Nuggets' decision.
What's next: The future for Valanciunas remains uncertain as he enters free agency.
Should he be waived, Valanciunas is expected to explore opportunities overseas, particularly with Zalgiris Kaunas.
The Nuggets will now focus on finalizing their roster and addressing their center position as they prepare for the upcoming season.
With the NBA's moratorium lifting soon, teams will begin making moves to secure their desired players.
As the Nuggets navigate these transitions, the focus will be on how they can leverage their financial flexibility to build a stronger roster capable of competing for another championship.
This article is grounded in a discussion trending on Reddit. Claims from the original post and comments may not reflect independently verified reporting.