Denver Waives Jonas Valanciunas to Create Salary Cap Space

The Denver Nuggets have released Jonas Valanciunas before his 2026/27 contract became fully guaranteed. The Lithuanian center was set to earn $10 million, with only $2 million guaranteed, allowing the Colorado franchise to achieve significant salary savings and maintain greater financial flexibility.

The move is primarily driven by salary cap considerations. Denver is looking to stay below the second apron, a threshold that significantly restricts NBA teams' ability to sign, trade, or complete their rosters. In that context, Valanciunas's future with the team had become complicated.

The center joined the Nuggets in July 2025, but his tenure in Denver failed to fully establish itself. His numbers were respectable off the bench, averaging 8.7 points and 5.1 rebounds in just 13.4 minutes per game, though not enough to secure his place in the project.

Valanciunas's departure is accompanied by the addition of Marvin Bagley III, who is expected to fill the backup center role behind Nikola Jokic. Denver is thus changing the profile of its second-unit frontcourt while simultaneously reducing payroll.

Now, Valanciunas becomes a free agent and should not take long to receive calls. There are several NBA teams in need of size, rebounding, and interior presence, with names like the Knicks, Lakers, 76ers, and Raptors as potential suitors. In Europe, meanwhile, a return to Zalgiris Kaunas is already being discussed, a club where he would be welcomed as an absolute reference.

Denver's decision leaves a mixed feeling. On one hand, it makes financial sense. On the other, the team loses experience, height, and a proven piece for minutes without Jokic. In their pursuit of contending for a championship, the Nuggets continue to shuffle pieces, though not all moves appear to immediately strengthen the roster.