Jonas Valanciunas's time in Denver could be coming to an end. The Nuggets will be strapped for cash this offseason, and his $10 million contract does not fit in with the reality that he became unplayable in the playoffs. With only $2 million of his contract guaranteed, the Nuggets can save $8 million by waiving him.
Valanciunas seems to see the writing on the wall, too. He knows this is a business decision for the Nuggets. In an interview with Basketball News, he says, "We’ll see what moves and decisions the management makes. Everything is in their hands. Right now, the work is happening in the front office - they’re handling things. We’ll see what they decide."
With Big Val likely to leave, where do the Nuggets go from here?
Next man up: DaRon Holmes II
If the Nuggets opt to run it back and also keep Payton Watson, they will be limited in adding new players to replace Valanciunas. DaRon Holmes II was drafted in 2024 specifically to provide depth behind Nikola Jokic; however, after an Achilles injury sidelined him, he has never really been given a chance to show what he can do. If Big Val is waived, it could be Holmes' time to shine.
DaRon Holmes II would likely be a part of a small-ball lineup with Spencer Jones, Zeke Nnaji, Payton Watson, and Bruce Brown that emphasizes defensive versatility and quickness. This lineup has length, quickness, and flexibility, which could cause opposing coaches to lose sleep at night.
The big ticket free agent: Mitchell Robinson
New York Knicks backup center Mitchell Robinson is an elite shot-blocker, rim runner, and dominant rebounder. The 7-footer can give the Nuggets something that no one on their roster can: the size and physicality in the paint to replace Valanciunas.
While he does not shoot from the perimeter, his ability to grab offensive rebounds and block shots would make him a valuable addition. Robinson could also play alongside Jokic in stints, offering a different look and allowing the Serbian to find favorable matchups.
The biggest challenge in signing Robinson is money. To make a move like this, the Nuggets may need to unload a starter, likely Cameron Johnson, and potentially some bench players.
The draft: Henri Veesaar
The Nuggets have the 26th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, and they could very well use that spot to find a replacement for Big Val. One man they may target is Henri Veesaar from the University of North Carolina.
The Estonian center has been on the rise, and he provides solid defense and an uncanny ability to stretch the floor with his 3-point shooting. In 2025-26, he shot over 42% from downtown and averaged over 5 rebounds a game in just over 20 minutes per game. While he doesn't bring the experience of a veteran, he could slot in right away and provide depth behind Jokic.
Drafting a replacement at center gives the Nuggets the option to play small ball while also having a cheap replacement for Jokic if he is injured or gets into foul trouble.
It seems like a foregone conclusion that Valanciunas has played his last game as a Nugget, and potentially his last game in the NBA. Whether asking Holmes to step up, signing a free agent, or adding depth through the draft, it is critical that the Nuggets have a cohesive plan for limiting damage in the non-Jokic minutes if they want to make a deep playoff run in 2027.
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