The Denver Nuggets made a number of additions this offseason. Center Jonas Valanciunas is among those additions -- and his impact could be more important than anyone may have imagined. The veteran's presence on the roster will prove to be crucial for not just the team overall, but for star Nikola Jokic.
Jokic has obviously been one of, if not the best player in the NBA for years now. He is a consistent MVP candidate who impacts the game in multiple ways. Jokic does not need Valanciunas. With that being said, Valanciunas will only help Jokic.
Jonas Valanciunas set to impact Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
The 6'11" big man has played in the NBA since the 2012-13 campaign. He's been a starter, he's come off the bench and he knows how to win. Valanciunas has quietly become one of the most underrated centers in recent memory.
He did not receive many headlines last season between his time with the Washington Wizards and Sacramento Kings. Yet, Valanciunas still managed to average 10.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game across 81 total contests played. For his career, Valanciunas has recorded per game averages of 13.1 points and 9.3 rebounds per outing.
How Jokic will benefit from Valanciunas
Jokic has been durable for the most part in recent seasons. At 30 years old, though, the Nuggets have to seriously think about his minutes during the long 82 game season. Jokic has played in at least 69 games in each of his 10 seasons in the NBA. He has also averaged 31.7 minutes per outing for his career. In the 2024-25 campaign, Jokic recorded 36.7 minutes per contest.
Will the Nuggets need Jokic to play a significant amount of minutes per game once again in order to find success? Probably, but they could potentially decrease his minutes if Valanciunas plays up to his potential as a backup center -- something that could keep Jokic fresh throughout the regular season. It goes without saying, but Jokic will be even more dangerous in the postseason if he ends up receiving added rest during the 82 game grind.
Sure, Jonas Valanciunas will not completely make or break the Nuggets during the upcoming 2025-26 season. His potential impact should not be overlooked, though. Denver acquired him for a reason. The veteran center may be able to make a noticeable difference for a Nuggets team with lofty aspirations.