Nuggets stretch Valanciunas' $2M guarantee across three seasons

Denver is stretching the $2MM left guaranteed on Jonas Valanciunas' expiring deal over three years, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports, turning it into annual charges of $667K. Valanciunas was waived last month and has since signed with Zalgiris Kaunas.

The cap relief is modest, with the Nuggets still more than $3MM over the second apron, but as a repeat taxpayer in the fourth bracket they cut their projected tax bill from roughly $84.3MM to $75.3MM. The cost is dead money on the books through 2028/29, plus a bar on re-signing him before the end of 2026/27.

$2M · 3yr

+ 2 reports from 2 outlets

Heavy · 27 Aug 2026Valanciunas' leftover $2M spread over three years by Denver

Hoops Rumors · 27 Aug 2026Nuggets stretch Valanciunas' $2M guarantee across three seasons

Jonas Valančiūnas

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