The Denver Nuggets have struck on several moves this summer to make themselves a top threat to the OKC Thunder and their repeat title chase next season. However, following a stunning report on Thursday afternoon, it seems at least one of their key transactions may not wind up coming to fruition.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, league sources have confirmed that "the lure of a return to Europe holds strong appeal" to big man, Jonas Valanciunas.
Acquired on July 1 in a deal that sent Dario Saric to the Kings in exchange for the veteran's services, per Stein, Sacramento is still pushing for the trade to go through for salary cap reasons. The Nuggets, meanwhile, may face an uphill battle in convincing Valanciunas to stay in the NBA.
If the deal is processed come Sunday, a losing effort on this front could come at a significant cost to Denver, as they'd have to expedite a buyout with the $10.4 million guaranteed to him for next season on his current contract.
Thunder relieved as Nuggets hit roadblock with Jonas Valanciunas trade
Perhaps the biggest gut-punch for Denver, and simultaneously the most enjoyable part for the Thunder, in this situation is that it could very well prevent the Nuggets from landing a quality backup center who can finally allow Nikola Jokic to receive much-needed rest on the bench next season.
The three-time MVP has been quite vocal about his desire to see his team add more depth behind him on the roster, and even went on record calling out Denver's lack of options in the reserves directly following their second-round loss to Oklahoma City this past postseason.
While he may not be a star player by any means, Valanciunas would have been a tremendous answer to Jokic's pleas, as he's a quality inside-out scoring and rebound-gobbling big who boasts solid per-game averages of 13.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, and just shy of a block on 56.0 percent shooting from the floor and 34.1 percent shooting from deep for his career.
Now, of course, this hiccup by no means cancels out all the other frighteningly good moves made by Denver's front office so far this summer.
The signing of Tim Hardaway Jr. and the trade for Cameron Johnson alone are enough to address the team's greatest weakness from last season and, in turn, make them a serious contender to dethrone Oklahoma City.
However, any hardships the Nuggets face amid their offseason successes should be viewed as a win for the Thunder. The complications now arising with the Jonas Valanciunas trade are something fans should certainly be pleased with.