Multiple teams expected to compete for him! Nuggets officially waive Valančiūnas: He will only be paid $2 million for the new season

On July 9, Beijing time, per Shams and Scotto, the Nuggets have officially parted ways with center Jonas Valančiūnas. The $10 million guaranteed portion of his contract was due to be locked in today, but instead, Denver will only owe him $2 million in the 2026-27 campaign. In his 14-year NBA career, Valančiūnas has posted averages of 12.8 points and 9 rebounds. Shams reports that multiple teams are expected to pursue Valančiūnas for a signing.

Valančiūnas stands 2.11 meters tall and weighs 120 kilograms. He was selected with the fifth overall pick in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft by the Toronto Raptors and has 14 years of NBA experience.

Valančiūnas displayed elite interior talent from a young age, winning the U16, U18 European Championships and the U19 World Championship at the youth level, earning MVP honors in all of them. In the Lithuanian domestic league, he captured both the league championship and MVP, was twice named European Young Player of the Year, and was widely regarded as a gifted big man in European basketball. He officially entered the NBA in 2012 and was named to the All-Rookie Second Team in his debut season. His career has taken him through Toronto, Memphis, New Orleans, Washington, and Sacramento; he joined the Nuggets in 2025, was waived by them in the 2026 offseason, and multiple teams are interested in acquiring him.

Technically, Valančiūnas possesses solid low-post footwork, high efficiency near the rim, a reliable mid-to-long-range three-point shot, and the ability to draw fouls. His rebounding positioning and second-chance scoring are core strengths. Last regular season, he averaged 8.7 points and 5.1 rebounds; over his career, he averages 12.8 points and 9 rebounds with a 56.1% field goal percentage, showing consistent interior scoring ability. During his time with the Raptors, he posted a double-double of 20 points and 20 rebounds in the playoffs, setting a franchise record; with the Grizzlies, he became the first player in team history to record 25 points, 20 rebounds, and 4 blocks in a single game. His career total rebounds rank among the top eight among active players.

On the international stage, Valančiūnas has long served as the core interior player for the Lithuanian national team, leading the squad in multiple FIBA World Cups and EuroBasket tournaments, carrying the offensive and defensive load for the European powerhouse. Now at age 34, he is experienced, adaptable to various rotation systems, and capable of starting in the post or providing depth off the bench. After his waiver, demand remains high on the free-agent market, making him a cost-effective and impactful center.