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

[OxAndFox]

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

Huh? That guy (you as it turns out lol) was talking in a work context. That is extremely easy to comprehend by reading it. And that's not how the NBA works anyway. No one could possibly even think that it does.

If you want it in the NBA context, no player actually goes to an "interview", that is what his agent is for and yes, agents are meeting with teams to discuss players under contract ALL the time.

As I mentioned literally the post prior though had you bothered, JV has a contract. It is now up to the Nuggets to either hold him to the contract or work with him on a buy out. The Nuggets have the cards here realistically.

[nomansland]

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.

Yeah, why would Denver pay anything? If he decides to leave, he forfeits the money Denver owes him.

[mkot]

Huh? That guy (you as it turns out lol) was talking in a work context. That is extremely easy to comprehend by reading it.

Are you sure? Please go back and read again, it was someone else.

I was referring to free agent in context of NBA, I didn't put "NBA free agent" but I thought it was understood?

[OxAndFox]

Huh? That guy (you as it turns out lol) was talking in a work context. That is extremely easy to comprehend by reading it.

Are you sure? Please go back and read again, it was someone else.

I was referring to free agent in context of NBA, I didn't put "NBA free agent" but I thought it was understood?

Yes.
ZB2323 said
"if I interview with 2 companies, I’m going to take the offer that is better for my family."

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

To which I responded to you saying that in a real life, not in the NBA, people interview for other jobs even when under contract. Think you're blurring what context ZB2323 originally was conveying.

[mkot]

Huh? That guy (you as it turns out lol) was talking in a work context. That is extremely easy to comprehend by reading it.

Are you sure? Please go back and read again, it was someone else.

I was referring to free agent in context of NBA, I didn't put "NBA free agent" but I thought it was understood?

Yes.
ZB2323 said
"if I interview with 2 companies, I’m going to take the offer that is better for my family."

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

To which I responded to you saying that in a real life, not in the NBA, people interview for other jobs even when under contract. Think you're blurring what context ZB2323 originally was conveying.

So I'm responding to that person by pointing out he is not a (NBA) free agent. I don't see how that's me discussing this in a work context, but whatever, not going to further derail this.

[UcanUwill]

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

Scoop Lessort. Eye for an eye

[LuDux1]

According to Greek portal SDNA, contacts between PAO and JV's American agent happened in February and November 2024 and May 2025 during EL F4 this year, there the i's were dotted

Maybe they were talking about the contract after the current one expires and the trade to Denver accelerated things? Maybe they already knew in May 2025 about trade to Denver?

[TheShow2021]

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.

Yeah, why would Denver pay anything? If he decides to leave, he forfeits the money Denver owes him.

Can Jonas hold that cap space hostage and make them wait till his first game overseas? (for the full buyout)

[Nuntius]

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.

Why should Panathinaikos face any scrutiny? They aren't an NBA team so they aren't bound by NBA's rules. Just like NBA teams aren't bound by the various rules of European leagues when they approach players who are under contract with a team in Europe. Why would this be any different in this case?

[Nuntius]

Good info. Thanks.

I've always liked Val and wish him the best. I just don't like when players try to force their way out of contracts, whether it's Anthony Davis, DeWanna Bonner (WNBA) or Val. Sometimes it's unavoidable but I'm just not a fan. If you're going to do that, don't put the team in a bad spot so they miss out on other free agents, etc.

I completely agree with you, and it is very disappointing when it happens. I doubt Jonas forces his way out in the worst sense, I think he will force his way out by putting knowledge that he does not really want to be there, and NBA teams know that having guys who don't want to be there is just not that great of a strategy.

It is still very disappointing, especially for Denver, but it is human factor, guy was traded two times this year, he has two young boys, he already promised that he will end his career in his home town and his career is coming to an end, man just wants what he wants. Frustrating that his contract gets in his way and I would like him to honor his contract, he unmistakenly wants out of it, but as I said, if he does not get his way, I have no doubt he will grind it out, he just does not have snake in him. Even this year when LTU Federation coach kinda directly insulted him, Jonas stood up for himself but he did it as professional as 32 year young man could.

It's "frustrating" getting paid 10 million dollars a season to train and play basketball? that's news to me..

If Val is so frustrated, he can just give up those 10m and get released to sign anywhere he wants



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It's frustrating to be forced to be away from your family because teams trade you multiple times within a year, yes

And, yeah, he IS trying to give up that money.

[Nuntius]

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.

Yurtseven is probably gone after the horrible performance in the championship Finals.

[UcanUwill]

If Val is so frustrated, he can just give up those 10m and get released to sign anywhere he wants



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I mean, that is exactly what he is trying to do.

[Exp0sed]

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

Scoop Lessort. Eye for an eye

Lessort is a beast in Europe but would need a few seasons to get accustmed to
the NBA game,pace,space,sets,schemes, rules, completely different reads etc

No good for a team looking to go all the way this season. They need a seasoned vet.

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[sisibilio]

Isn't Lessort injured anyway?

[KGtabake]

Lessort is cleared for basketball activities, he will play for France in EuroBasket.

His rights belong to the Bucks.... interesting.

[UcanUwill]

Isn't Lessort injured anyway?

Is he? He was injured, but he played in the final 4, unless he got injured again? I agree Nuggets need a proven guy, but Horford seems like the only adequate option possible, I would rather have Lessort than DJ at this point, but I am just pipe dreaming anyway.

Jokers FIBA teammate and back up, Nikola Milutinov is also not the worst option possible, if they could get him. Out of the NBA, I would like if they tried getting Day'ron Sharpe.

[sisibilio]

Nvm i don't keep Up with the bertoleague anymore.

[UcanUwill]

Nvm i don't keep Up with the bertoleague anymore.

If I was NBA team, these are the EL centers that I would be interested in :

Lessort, Booker, Nebo, Milutinov. I think they are pretty decent, better than some back ups out there.

I wonder could Plavzic play in the NBA? He didn't even play in EL last year almost, Zvezda loaned him out, but it is impressive how athletic he is for a 7'2 guy.

[Exp0sed]

Nvm i don't keep Up with the bertoleague anymore.

If I was NBA team, these are the EL centers that I would be interested in :

Lessort, Booker, Nebo, Milutinov. I think they are pretty decent, better than some back ups out there.

Nebo is 6'9 and has more of a PF game tbh. 15-20 years ago he could have had a career in the NBA with his skillset (as a PF) but not today..good player tho,no doubt

they already have Nnaji with that skill set, they need an actual Center. like Jonas haha

[UcanUwill]

Nvm i don't keep Up with the bertoleague anymore.

If I was NBA team, these are the EL centers that I would be interested in :

Lessort, Booker, Nebo, Milutinov. I think they are pretty decent, better than some back ups out there.

Nebo is 6'9 and has more of a PF game tbh. 15-20 years ago he could have had a career in the NBA with his skillset (as a PF) but not today..good player tho,no doubt

they already have Nnaji with that skill set, they need an actual Center. like Jonas haha

Nebo is definitely not a PF, he is more Gafford type uber athletic dunker. Yeah, he is not tall, just like Booker or Lessort, but I think NBA now knows that it is not all about size. I do not think they would want Moustapha Fall.

I struggled to think of good options out of EL, none of them are great, but not like all NBA bigs are that good.

Devin Booker for example is also 6'9 and he is really bad defensively, but he is very decent stretch 5 who can shoot 3s and off the drible mid range shots. You take good and the bad with him.

Milutinov is slower big classic type center, but I mean if Steven Adams can play in the NBA, I am not sure why Milutinov couldn't. He can dominate the boards, he is strong, but he can't stretch the floor and he is not fast.

Nebo is very athletic and he would be fine offensively as lob finisher, but he is limited player and you want these type of centers to be great rim protectors at least, and he is not that.

Lessort is Lessort, he heavily relies on confidence. We have seen him getting hacked and miss 12 FTs in a row when hes not confident. He is also 6'9 maybe tops.

If you want actual center, I think Milutinov or Plavzic fills the bill the best.