Valanciunas unexpectedly revealed a private conversation he had with Jokic right after joining the Nuggets.

The Denver Nuggets are quietly building another championship-contending roster, and their latest acquisition—Jonas Valanciunas—is shaping up to be a key piece in that mission. As the 2025–26 NBA season approaches, Valanciunas not only brings size, rebounding, and experience to the Mile High City, but he’s also already developing a positive rapport with superstar Nikola Jokic, a critical step for Denver’s new-look frontcourt dynamic.

While the trade that brought Valanciunas to Denver generated headlines for a number of reasons, what may end up mattering most isn’t the transaction itself—but the chemistry he’s already beginning to build with Jokic, the three-time NBA MVP and franchise cornerstone.

A Major Offseason for Denver

The Nuggets entered the 2025 offseason with urgency after their heartbreaking Game 7 loss to the eventual NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder. Denver had been chasing a second consecutive NBA title, but came up just short in the Western Conference Finals, raising questions about depth, durability, and the need for more reliable bench production.

In response, the Nuggets made bold roster changes, most notably trading Michael Porter Jr. to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for sharpshooter Cam Johnson. While the Johnson-Porter swap sparked strategic debates, the more surprising move came when Denver secured Jonas Valanciunas—arguably the best backup center of the Nikola Jokic era.

At first, there were serious doubts about whether Valanciunas would even play in the NBA next season. The Lithuanian big man had reportedly been weighing a return to Europe, and negotiations dragged on longer than expected. However, Denver’s front office remained persistent and ultimately reached an agreement, giving the Nuggets a legitimate, physical presence behind Jokic for the first time in years.

Valanciunas Speaks Out About Jokic

In a recent interview with BasketNews, Valanciunas addressed his arrival in Denver and revealed that he has already spoken directly with Jokic. According to Valanciunas, the interaction was smooth, positive, and constructive—exactly what Denver fans would hope to hear heading into the new season.

“It was a good talk,” Valanciunas said. “Nikola’s a great guy, down to earth. We talked about basketball, about team expectations. He welcomed me in, and that means a lot.”

This quote may seem simple on the surface, but it carries significant weight. Jokic is not just Denver’s leader—he’s the engine that makes their system work. For Valanciunas, an old-school big with a bruising interior style, to quickly establish a connection with one of the game’s most unique superstars bodes well for team chemistry and frontcourt rotations.

Why Valanciunas Matters

It’s been no secret that the Nuggets have struggled to find a dependable backup for Jokic. Past seasons have seen attempts with Zeke Nnaji, DeAndre Jordan, and even playing small-ball lineups when Jokic was off the floor. None of those options truly worked.

In Jonas Valanciunas, the Nuggets now have a starting-caliber center coming off the bench. He brings:

• Elite rebounding (career 10.4 RPG)

• Post scoring (over 13 PPG average in 2024–25)

• Physicality and size to guard interior threats

• Veteran leadership with playoff experience

While Valanciunas is unlikely to see major minutes when Jokic is on the court, his presence allows Denver to maintain offensive rebounding pressure and interior defense without drastically changing their tempo or spacing.

In matchups against bigger teams like Oklahoma City, Milwaukee, or Boston, his physicality could help prevent the type of late-game collapses that cost the Nuggets last postseason.

The Jokic Factor

No matter how talented a new addition is, fitting into Jokic’s ecosystem is not automatic. The Serbian MVP plays a cerebral, pass-first style of basketball that relies on high-IQ reads, backdoor cuts, and unselfish movement. It’s a style that can be challenging for some players to adjust to—especially traditional centers.

But Valanciunas’ veteran experience, paired with his willingness to adapt, appears to be a good match. He’s not coming in expecting to dominate the ball or run post plays every possession. He’s embracing his role as a high-impact reserve, ready to support Jokic and give the Nuggets a different look when needed.

Nuggets’ Depth Could Be the Key

Denver’s starting five still revolves around Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon, with Cam Johnson likely filling the floor-spacing role vacated by Porter Jr. What the team lacked last year was bench consistency, and now—with Valanciunas anchoring the second unit—the Nuggets may finally have the answer.

The combo of Valanciunas and Christian Braun, along with rotational guards like Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther, gives coach Michael Malone more flexibility to stagger minutes and maintain intensity for 48 minutes.

Valanciunas also allows the Nuggets to experiment with dual-big lineups in matchups where length and rim protection are essential. And in a postseason scenario, having a reliable veteran to spell Jokic—even for just 8-10 minutes a game—could be the difference between advancing or going home.

What It All Means Going Forward

The Nuggets are now in a position to reclaim their spot at the top of the Western Conference. While teams like Oklahoma City, Minnesota, and Phoenix have all made noise, Denver’s roster—now reinforced with Valanciunas’ toughness and experience—has a balanced blend of youth and experience, offense and defense.

With Jokic leading the way, and Valanciunas right behind him, the Nuggets are preparing for a season of redemption. For Valanciunas personally, this is more than a late-career stint—it’s a chance to compete for a championship alongside one of the greatest players of this generation.

And based on his recent words, it sounds like he’s already all in.