The Denver Nuggets are looking to give big man Nikola Jokic more help next season. The team took a step in that direction Tuesday, reportedly agreeing to acquire Jonas Valanciunas from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Dario Saric, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Valanciunas, 33, gives Denver some much-needed depth. And he is another big body who can spell Jokic, or pair with the three-time MVP if the Nuggets want to go big. In 81 games last season, Valanciunas averaged 10.4 points and 7.7 rebounds while seeing time with both the Kings and Washington Wizards. He was mostly used off the bench, starting just 21 games.
Valanciunas is under contract for two more seasons, and will make $10 million in each of the final two years on his contract. He signed a three-year, $30 million extension with the New Orleans Pelicans as part of a sign-and-trade in 2024.
The Nuggets have been among the most active teams in free agency so far. In addition to acquiring Valanciunas, the team also traded for Cam Johnson on Monday. Shortly after making that trade, the Nuggets brought back Bruce Brown on a one-year deal. Monday’s moves put the Nuggets under the first salary cap apron and opened up a $14.1 million mid-level exception for the team, which has been trying to retool with Jokic.
The Nuggets are looking for better success after losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the playoffs. Despite being the No. 4 seed, the Nuggets were able to take the No. 1 seeded Thunder to a Game 7 before being eliminated. The Thunder went on to win the NBA championship.
Saric, 31, was a part-time player with the Nuggets last season. The center averaged 3.5 points and 3.1 rebounds while playing 13.1 minutes per game. Saric is entering the final year of a two-year, $10 million deal he signed with the Nuggets in 2024. He’ll make $5.4 million with the Kings next season.
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