Jonas Valanciunas Leaves Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets waived center Jonas Valanciunas on July 8, and he wasn't claimed by any team. Valanciunas had interest from teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks, but he decided to leave the NBA. He returned to his native Lithuania and signed with Zalgiris Kaunas. Speaking on Zalgiris TV, Valanciunas broke his silence about leaving the biggest basketball league in the world and explains why he chose to play in Europe. “The process was quite long, and we had many conversations, but Lithuania, Zalgiris, and basketball in Lithuania definitely played a big role,” Valanciunas said, via BasketNews. “The fans and what Zalgiris have been building here over the past few years also really impressed me, so I wanted to be part of it.”

What Happened?

Jonas Valanciunas had a successful NBA career, playing for the Toronto Raptors, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, and Washington Wizards. He was traded to the Denver Nuggets last summer. Despite having one more season on his contract, Valanciunas decided to leave the NBA and go back to Lithuania to experience the incredible atmosphere of European basketball.

Why it Matters for Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets have signed Marvin Bagley III as the new backup center. Bagley could also play power forward alongside Nikola Jokic if Aaron Gordon goes down with an injury again. He will likely compete with Spencer Jones, DaRon Holmes II, and Zeke Nnaji for minutes next season.

Recent Form

The Denver Nuggets are currently on a losing streak, with their last result being a 110-98 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on May 1, 2026. Their recent form is 1 win, 0 draws, and 4 losses in their last 5 games (LWLLL).

What Comes Next?

The Denver Nuggets will have to adjust to life without Jonas Valanciunas and rely on Marvin Bagley III to fill the void. With the new season approaching, the team will have to work together to achieve success. Last result: Minnesota Timberwolves 110-98 Denver Nuggets (2026-05-01). Recent form (last 5): 1W-0D-4L (LWLLL, most recent first).