Shams: Kings Trade Jonas Valunciunas to the Nuggets for Dario Saric; *UPDATE* - Trade is Now Official

[flranger]

He was under contract but with a different organization. He's been traded five times in his career.

Honestly I get he has a contract, but there has to come a time where you say F you guys, I'm making my own life decisions instead of playing your cute little game of musical chairs. That contact was signed with the Pelicans, who traded him to the Wizards, who traded him to the Kangz, who traded him to Denver.

[canada_dry]

My guy decided to leave the league before he backed up Jokic and play in Denver. Damn.

I think he would have been a star if the league showed him more love. Everywhere he went he was used as a garbage man to clean up. Raptors made him bulk up to much to the point he lost all his athleticism from his first two years. He had skill and a soft touch around the rim since day one. Will always be one of my favourite players ever.

Just want to see my brother win a ring. Him and DeMar, finally thought JV had his chance.

JV HIVE!

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[canada_dry]

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Was a beast in Toronto. I feel like he could have been a multi-time all-star if we gave him more looks on the offensive end. We used him as a garbage man big which is the total opposite of the player he is. If Lowry and DeMar weren't in Toronto he would have been our next star. He was our only consistent player during our playoffs runs as well.

The way he used to bully Drummond and AD was funny as well.

:)

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[JujitsuFlip]

Can Denver even find a suitable replacement this late? They might have access to mid level but there are not many options to use it on.

Probably just bring DJ back.

[davidv2001]

He was under contract but with a different organization. He's been traded five times in his career.

Honestly I get he has a contract, but there has to come a time where you say F you guys, I'm making my own life decisions instead of playing your cute little game of musical chairs. That contact was signed with the Pelicans, who traded him to the Wizards, who traded him to the Kangz, who traded him to Denver.

The Pelicans never traded Valanciunas. He chose to sign a contract with the rebuilding Wizards last offseason as a free agent. He knew as an older player that he was taking the money and the ability to start temporarily for a bad team in exchange for a high likelihood of getting traded during the course of the contract.

From what it sounds like, Panathinaikos approached him with this offer after Denver and Sacramento agreed to the trade, so the scrutiny should fall heavily on them.

[NZB2323]

if I interview with 2 companies, I’m going to take the offer that is better for my family.

He is not a free agent. He should not even go to the interview when he is already under contract.

I can interview with other companies whenever I want to if it will put my family in a better situation.

[Greek]

Guys the rumours in Greece about him are more like a month old, and actually they had the 1st meeting in the eurolegue final four and on his interview in the Greek media said that he wants to be part of the eurolegue and that atmosphere.

You can say what ever you want about him but a surprise certainly is NOT. Plus i am quite sure that nobody asked him if he wants to be traded or what was his plans either. If you get traded is business if you want something else is not? Denver has enough money after unload Saric contract to find a backup. Don't make it worse than actually is.


By the way the Greek media pretty much they consider it deal done as Giannakopoulos the owner of Panathinaikos one of the richest Greeks known for his ability to get what he wants.

I can't really see any way this deal to break up.

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[___Rand___]

Athens is a chill place to live. Not far from beaches and food is better/healthier than big macs and fries. He's near the end of his career. This is his "miami" move. I don't blame JV at all.

Yeah if I was in his position I would also leave, even if it means leaving money on the table. It's his life. In his position I'd rather chill in Athens and be a 4 hour flight from Vilnius than have to back up Jokic at altitude.

He's made enough money. This is also a good way for him to build a fan base in Europe if it doesn't already exist. Establish relationships there for his post-playing life and career.

[LeBronSpaghetti]

So now the question is what will the Nuggets do with their full MLE?

[Jagic Mohnson]

So now the question is what will the Nuggets do with their full MLE?

They have 15 mill to spend but if they go over 10 mill, they go into the 1st apron which is not good if they want to make trades or sign buy out guys at the trade deadline. Im guessing they go hard after Horford and throw 9-10 mill at him vs Warriors 6 mill offer

[Wallace_Wallace]

if I interview with 2 companies, I’m going to take the offer that is better for my family.

He is not a free agent. He should not even go to the interview when he is already under contract.

I can interview with other companies whenever I want to if it will put my family in a better situation.

I don’t think Denver does a buyout with Val; I think they’ll find a way to void the contract.

He does what’s best for his family, and Denver does what’s best for Denver.

[Pachinko_]

Never a fan of a player agreeing to a contract to a certain amount of years and trying to renege on it, and tbh that extends to the real world. This is of course assuming no abuse/withholding of cash/misconduct in general.

Haven't vet Euro players done this plenty of times when making their way to the NBA though?

On the other hand Int'l players never left a team when they had a chance to stay and be a star, they are stupidly loyal sometimes.
From Dirk/Manu/Yao/Hakeem/Pau/Marc all the way to Giannis and Joker, you literally have to kick them out if you want them out. None of them ever forced or even requested a trade (as far as I can remember)

I often wondered why this is the case and then I realised that I don't have to look very far... I am an immigrant myself and I know how tough it is to settle down in a foreign country, exspecially with kids. When you've finally done it the last thing you wanna do is up and move again.

But when the NBA itself starts kicking you about from city to city I can see how some of them start to think WTF am I even doing here, especially if they've already made a tonne of money, like Jonas. We keep comparing their earnings to other NBA players, but they don't necessarily. Some of them simply appreciate that they're already stratospherically well paid compared to normal humans and their own expectations.

[Wallace_Wallace]

Never a fan of a player agreeing to a contract to a certain amount of years and trying to renege on it, and tbh that extends to the real world. This is of course assuming no abuse/withholding of cash/misconduct in general.

Haven't vet Euro players done this plenty of times when making their way to the NBA though?

NBA teams usually have to payout/buyout their overseas contracts. Yao Ming could have entered the NBA in 2001 (instead of 2002), but the Shanghai Sharks did not allow him to go until his contract expires. They wanted to compete for the CBA title with Yao at center for one more season (lost to Bayi anchored by Wang Zhizhi in 2001).

In Europe, leagues have buyout clauses/transfer fees (negotiated at the time of transfer) and rental system (IE LA Galaxy rented/loaned David Beckham to AC Milan, Monaco loaned Kylian Mbappe to PSG, etc.). If Val wants to sign overseas, I would assume that said team would have to pay Denver a transfer/rental fee high enough for them to let Val play.

[Pachinko_]

Pana fans in a bit of an orgasmic state ATM, the team is starting to look like a mid NBA team
Jonas, Cedi Osman, Kendrick Nunn, Bo Cruz, Jerian Grant, TJ Shorts, Matthias Lesort (not sure if they're keeping Ömer Yurtseven and Lorenzo Brown) but all those guys are at their peak and playing the best ball of their lives.

Pana is targeting guys who probably had enough talent to be borderline NBA starters but never quite got there for many different reasons, and were stuck in that salary range where money is similar between Europe and NBA. Makes sense, especially if you're already from Europe.

Also, playing for Pana is fun.
NBA level arena and attendance, the city is full of people who will literally kiss your hands if you win it all (which looks more and more likely), you're never far from the beaches and the Greek islands and the weather is sunny 9 days out of 10. Star players are gods over there. Sure sometimes they have to deal with some **** from rogue fans and the monumentally stupid club president, but overall it's a great life.

[Mirotic12]

Pana fans in a bit of an orgasmic state ATM, the team is starting to look like a mid NBA team
Jonas, Cedi Osman, Kendrick Nunn, Bo Cruz, Jerian Grant, TJ Shorts, Matthias Lesort (not sure if they're keeping Ömer Yurtseven and Lorenzo Brown) but all those guys are at their peak and playing the best ball of their lives.

Pana is targeting guys who probably had enough talent to be borderline NBA starters but never quite got there for many different reasons, and were stuck in that salary range where money is similar between Europe and NBA. Makes sense, especially if you're already from Europe.

Also, playing for Pana is fun.
NBA level arena and attendance, the city is full of people who will literally kiss your hands if you win it all (which looks more and more likely), you're never far from the beaches and the Greek islands and the weather is sunny 9 days out of 10. Star players are gods over there. Sure sometimes they have to deal with some **** from rogue fans and the monumentally stupid club president, but overall it's a great life.

I'm pretty confident that Omer Yurtseven and Lorenzo Brown will be cut due to poor performance. They had absolutely awful seasons.

[BigGargamel]

Dang, this kinda sucks. Denver's off season was going a LITTLE TOO well. They still are the Nuggets, after all. Can't be all good.

[OxAndFox]

Unprofessional move from Jonas. Bad form.

According to this journalist, the primary factor that drove Val to want to make the move was the offer from Panathinaikos, which came after Denver negotiated with Sacramento.

https://basketnews.com/news-227348-why-jonas-valanciunas-wants-to-leave-nuggets-for-panathinaikos.html




This is not the way to do business. A similar issue played out this year in the WNBA where a player for the Indiana Fever forced her way out of the team after losing her starting role.

You signed the contract, honor the contract. If you want out, wait until the contract ends.

Lol at the wannabe political commentators here. There's a reason why the site has a Current Affairs section, and that's to keep often-poorly-informed non-basketball takes away from the hoops discussion.

I have no ill will towards Jonas but I don't like how he's approaching this. That being said, Denver may be content to let him go if he wants to leave.

He hasn't stepped on the court yet so it's not poor form. He's letting Denver know now so they can adapt in the off season. That's why we got an off season

I'm just going to assume that this post is a joke.

Denver traded a player for Val, who is under contract, and missed out on pursuing other players because they went after Val.

Val's choice doesn't just affect him. It blows things for Denver, hence the unprofessional angle.

For the Fever in the WNBA, the player punking out actually worked to their advantage because they replaced her with someone who fit better. We'll see what happens in Denver.

So is it ok for the Suns to want to buy out Beal? Blazers with Ayton etc?
All of these situations are not 1 way. These are positioned by both parties. At the end of the day if the Nuggets want JV to play then he will need to honor the contract.
If they can agree to a buyout, then what's the difference between that and the other guys that teams buy out? You're so upset about what the Nuggets are able to do, but what about Beal? Teams have spent money they may have given to Beal after a buy out, but I wouldn't see anyone bringing that up IMO, but its the same thing.
Doesn't matter who the player is, if a team in Europe offers someone a deal, just like NBA teams do with European players who are under contract, then terms need to be met on a buyout. If they're not met, the current contract stands.

[OxAndFox]

if I interview with 2 companies, I’m going to take the offer that is better for my family.

He is not a free agent. He should not even go to the interview when he is already under contract.

I agree it's not the same situations than in a typical work contract, but I wonder how old you are if you haven't ever interviewed with another company while still either employed or under contract by another employer. It's a similar thing when you would still need to go back to your current employer and negotiate terms, ie how much notice etc, etc. No, not a perfect comp, but you suggesting someone "should not even go to the interview when he is already under contract" is completely untrue in the real world.

[mkot]

if I interview with 2 companies, I’m going to take the offer that is better for my family.

He is not a free agent. He should not even go to the interview when he is already under contract.

I agree it's not the same situations than in a typical work contract, but I wonder how old you are if you haven't ever interviewed with another company while still either employed or under contract by another employer. It's a similar thing when you would still need to go back to your current employer and negotiate terms, ie how much notice etc, etc. No, not a perfect comp, but you suggesting someone "should not even go to the interview when he is already under contract" is completely untrue in the real world.

But can you imagine if half the NBA players start doing this either as a power play or a way to get out of their current contract for whatever reasons? And I asked ChatGPT about this:

No, NBA players under contract cannot be interviewed by other teams. NBA players are bound by their contracts to their respective teams, and those contracts typically include clauses that restrict them from engaging in discussions or interviews with other teams without their current team's permission. This prevents players from "shopping around" or negotiating with other teams before their contract is up.

Even assistant coaches and officials need permission from their current team to be interviewed by other teams

[mkot]

if I interview with 2 companies, I’m going to take the offer that is better for my family.

He is not a free agent. He should not even go to the interview when he is already under contract.

I can interview with other companies whenever I want to if it will put my family in a better situation.

You can. Not NBA players or coaches. Like Jason Kidds who's under contract with the Mavs as their head coach need permission from the team to be interviewed by the Knicks.