Why the Nuggets Passed on Jonas Valanciunas
As the Denver Nuggets strive to maximize Nikola Jokic’s prime, securing a reliable backup center remains a constant puzzle for the front office. During the offseason, veteran big man Jonas Valanciunas emerged as a highly discussed target for Denver before ultimately signing with the Washington Wizards. For Mile High hoops fans, understanding why the front office passed on this physical center reveals a lot about the team’s current financial strategy and long-term championship philosophy.
The Search for Jokic’s Relief Block
Every Denver local knows that as Nikola Jokic goes, so go the Nuggets. However, the grueling 82-game regular season takes a massive physical toll on the three-time MVP. Over the past few seasons, Denver’s net rating has plummeted whenever Jokic rests, making the backup five spot a critical vulnerability. Head coach Michael Malone has cycled through numerous options over the years, including DeMarcus Cousins, Thomas Bryant, and Zeke Nnaji, yet none have solidified the role. Valanciunas, known for his elite rebounding, durable frame, and soft touch around the rim, seemed like the ideal candidate to stabilize the second unit and allow Jokic to rest without the team surrendering hard-earned leads.
The appeal of Valanciunas was obvious to anyone who watches Western Conference basketball. His physical presence inside would have given Denver a traditional post-scoring threat and a defensive anchor against physical opponents. For a team that struggled with bench scoring and defensive rebounding consistency last season, adding a proven double-double machine would have alleviated immense pressure from the starting lineup during the cold winter months of the NBA schedule. Ultimately, however, on-court fit was only half of the equation.
The Financial Reality of the Second Apron
While the on-court fit made sense, the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement created an insurmountable roadblock for General Manager Calvin Booth. The league’s strict luxury tax aprons severely punish high-spending teams like Denver. Landing Valanciunas, who eventually signed a three-year, $30 million contract, would have required financial gymnastics that the Nuggets simply could not afford without gutting their remaining depth or trading away core starters. Under the current CBA rules, second-apron teams lose access to key mid-level exceptions and cannot take back more salary in trades than they send out, limiting flexibility.
This forced Denver to look for cheaper, more versatile options rather than committing long-term, double-digit millions to a backup center who would only play 12 to 15 minutes per game behind Jokic during the postseason. Committing that much salary to a non-closing player would have also put future draft assets at risk, as teams above the second apron face frozen draft picks and severe restrictions on aggregate trades.
Comparing Denver’s Front-Court Options
| Player | Contract Type | Primary Strength | Key System Fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonas Valanciunas | $10.0M / Year | Rebounding & Low-Post Scoring | Traditional paint anchor |
| Dario Saric | $5.2M / Year | Playmaking & Floor Spacing | Denver-style passing hub |
| Zeke Nnaji | $8.8M / Year | Switch Defense & Athleticism | High-energy transition defense |
Implications for the Nuggets’ Championship Rotation
By passing on Valanciunas, Denver pivoted to signing veteran forward-center Dario Saric to a much more manageable two-year, $10.6 million deal using their taxpayer mid-level exception. Saric offers a completely different skill set than Valanciunas. While he lacks the sheer size and rebounding dominance of the Lithuanian big man, Saric provides perimeter shooting and high-level passing, which allows the bench unit to run a simplified version of the main Jokic-led offense rather than changing styles entirely.
This decision highlights a clear organizational belief: Denver values offensive continuity and financial flexibility over raw physical size on the bench. It also puts immense pressure on Malone to optimize Saric’s unique talents. If the bench can maintain its offensive flow without Jokic on the floor, the decision to avoid Valanciunas’s hefty contract will look like a masterclass in modern roster building. If the bench unit falters, fans will continue to wonder what could have been.
What to Watch Next in the Mile High City
As the season progresses, local fans should watch how Denver manages the backup front-court rotation during back-to-back games and matchups against physical opponents like Minnesota and Phoenix. If Saric struggles to protect the rim or if Denver gets dominated on the glass, pressure will mount on the front office to seek a trade before the February deadline. Additionally, the development of young big men like Peyton Watson and Hunter Tyson remains pivotal for Denver’s long-term front-court sustainability.
Keep an eye on early-season rebounding percentages and bench net ratings. These metrics will quickly tell us if Denver’s gamble on skill over size was the correct path to securing another Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy for the city of Denver.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why did the Nuggets need a backup center like Jonas Valanciunas?
Denver needed a reliable, physical big man to secure rebounds and score in the paint when Nikola Jokic rests, preventing the dramatic drop-offs in performance that have plagued the bench unit during recent playoff runs. - Why couldn’t Denver sign Jonas Valanciunas?
The Nuggets are constrained by the NBA’s strict second luxury tax apron, making it financially impossible to match the three-year, $30 million contract Valanciunas received without sacrificing essential roster depth or trading core rotation players. - How does Dario Saric compare to Jonas Valanciunas?
Saric is a cheaper, playmaking big man who can shoot from three-point range and pass, whereas Valanciunas is a traditional, physical low-post scorer and elite rebounder who requires a slower offensive tempo. - Can the Nuggets still trade for a backup center later this season?
Yes, but their options will be limited due to salary-matching restrictions under the second apron, meaning any potential trade would likely have to feature Zeke Nnaji’s contract as the primary salary matching piece.
Denver sports fans should keep a close eye on Dario Saric’s screen-and-roll chemistry with the second unit, as his ability to mimic Jokic’s high-post playmaking will ultimately decide if the front office made the right financial gamble to preserve the team’s championship window.
Why the Nuggets Passed on Jonas Valanciunas
