Overview
- The Nuggets waived Jonas Valančiūnas on Wednesday, removing the $10 million full guarantee and leaving a $2 million partial guarantee that the team can stretch over three seasons by Aug. 29.
- If Valančiūnas clears waivers he will become an unrestricted free agent and is expected to draw interest from multiple NBA clubs as well as Žalgiris Kaunas in Lithuania.
- Waiving him moves Denver further under the league’s second salary apron and opens roughly $6 million in taxpayer mid‑level exception space the team can use without breaching the apron.
- Recent signings of veterans such as Kevon Looney and Andre Drummond have shifted the market for backup centers and could narrow which NBA teams remain realistic suitors despite reported Knicks interest.
- Valančiūnas averaged about 8.7 points and 5.1 rebounds in 65 games as Denver’s primary backup last season and now faces a choice between a bench role in the NBA or a two‑year offer from Europe.