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

[Yoshun]

It would be quite a bit higher salary in EuroLeague than that NBA contract. So he would actually be taking less money to stay in the NBA

He'd also play a lot more in EuroLeague. He seems like the kind of guy who wants to play.

He played 18 minutes per game last season. It is exectly how much he would play in Denver. And in Euroleague players rearly play more then 20 minutes per game

That's true but the games are also shorter by 8 minutes and I'd imagine he would start. I also think he'd probably average closer to 15 or 16 on the Nuggets, especially in the playoffs. Jokic hasn't played less than 32-33 minutes in years; but I guess it could be argued that that's partially due to lack of center depth.

I hope he doesn't leave though. I think he was the best of Denver's off-season moves. I'd like to see Jokic make a couple more runs.

[mkot]

Well I would procede with trade if I was Nuggets. Buyout price $0. It is his decision

And then give it to Al Horford. I always think he is the best option for Denver.

[Sofia]

They been having no backup center for awhile outside DeAndre Jordan & Nanji. Not sure it matters

It definitely matters. Nuggets fall off a cliff every time Joker sits in large part because they don't have a serviceable backup Center. Getting Valanciunas would've been huge for them, as will be losing him if he heads overseas.

Setting this potential issue aside, JV won't solve their problems. Joker is their leading scorer, rebounder and playmaker. And they don't have a second star. They will dive bomb every time he sits regardless, because he's such a high-impact player. Jonas is their so the rebounding doesn't go to hell, and because he can score a bit, but it's only part of the overall picture.

This is why I thought the trade was perhaps not as great as everyone else seemed to think it was.

Yes it is a talent upgrade, but that talent can’t really play many minutes alongside Jokic, you’re probably only getting 16 minutes out of Jonas, and he isn’t going to run the offence in Jokic’s absence, nor is he going to lock it down on the other end.

I thought that skill capital was perhaps better spent on someone who can do those things, or at least contribute for more minutes by being playable alongside Jokic.

[Castle Black]

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[BigGargamel]

This would suck, but I hope the trade wouldn't be rescinded. Getting Saric off the books and opening up some money would still be a good move.

[RaptorPride]

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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.

[Optms]

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

[BelgradeNugget]

He'd also play a lot more in EuroLeague. He seems like the kind of guy who wants to play.

He played 18 minutes per game last season. It is exectly how much he would play in Denver. And in Euroleague players rearly play more then 20 minutes per game

That's true but the games are also shorter by 8 minutes and I'd imagine he would start. I also think he'd probably average closer to 15 or 16 on the Nuggets, especially in the playoffs. Jokic hasn't played less than 32-33 minutes in years; but I guess it could be argued that that's partially due to lack of center depth.

I hope he doesn't leave though. I think he was the best of Denver's off-season moves. I'd like to see Jokic make a couple more runs.

I just don't think playing time is a reason. In Denver he will be able to play as much as he played last season, in the same role (he was a backup already) and contend. If he want to go to Europe, OK, his decision, he has his reasons

[RaptorPride]

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.

[BigGargamel]

He played 18 minutes per game last season. It is exectly how much he would play in Denver. And in Euroleague players rearly play more then 20 minutes per game

That's true but the games are also shorter by 8 minutes and I'd imagine he would start. I also think he'd probably average closer to 15 or 16 on the Nuggets, especially in the playoffs. Jokic hasn't played less than 32-33 minutes in years; but I guess it could be argued that that's partially due to lack of center depth.

I hope he doesn't leave though. I think he was the best of Denver's off-season moves. I'd like to see Jokic make a couple more runs.

I just don't think playing time is a reason. In Denver he will be able to play as much as he played last season, in the same role (he was a backup already) and contend. If he want to go to Europe, OK, his decision, he has his reasons

He's about to join his fourth team in like 13 months. That's gotta be exhausting for even an American player, let alone someone working thousands of miles from home.

[mkot]

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

It could also be a leverage play for more guaranteed money from Denver

[sisibilio]

Nobody is making that kind of money in Europe now, top earners are in the 2-3 M range. Maybe the Dubai team wants to make a Splash signing.

Sasha Vezenkov and Kendrick Nunn are making 4.5 million net euros a season. And numerous players have made 5 million net, or even more, in the past.

Nikola Mirotic was making 6 million euros net just in recent seasons.

Vasa Micic was already offered 6 million euros net euros this offseason.

By numerous you mean 3?. Only Childress and Delfino back in the day and Mirotic when he joined Barcelona made 5+.
Maybe Kirilenko also but i cant recall.

[stormi]

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

Good man.

[KGtabake]

Nobody is making that kind of money in Europe now, top earners are in the 2-3 M range. Maybe the Dubai team wants to make a Splash signing.

Sasha Vezenkov and Kendrick Nunn are making 4.5 million net euros a season. And numerous players have made 5 million net, or even more, in the past.

Nikola Mirotic was making 6 million euros net just in recent seasons.

Vasa Micic was already offered 6 million euros net euros this offseason.

By numerous you mean 3?. Only Childress and Delfino back in the day and Mirotic when he joined Barcelona made 5+.
Maybe Kirilenko also but i cant recall.

If you go back in time Dominique Wilkins had signed for Panathinaikos in 1995 for 3,5mil.
In today's money i guess that's a lot more.
He was granted a 4 store villa of his choosing, 2 cars and all taxes paid by the team.

Teams like CSKA Moscow, Panathinaikos, Fenerbahce, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Olympiacos can offer big contracts and offer amenities of that kind. There's also no salary cap in Europe.

[Pattycakes]

ROFL there goes one third of “the nuggets are so back” offseason.

[Castle Black]

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[RaptorPride]

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[BigGargamel]

ROFL there goes one third of “the nuggets are so back” offseason.

Just a small speed bump. They'll sign Chris Boucher and be back on track to sleepwalking to multiple titles.

[Alatan]

Rescind the trade and go after Al Horford. Better fit anyway and way less diva mentality.

[davidv2001]

I'd just back out of the trade, if i were the Nuggets, let the Kings sort it out.

I think the Nuggets would like to get Dario Saric’s contract off the books so they can get a viable backup for Jokic. They want the trade to go through whether Valanciunas opts to stay in the NBA or not.