Jonas Valanciunas, a 33-year-old NBA veteran, was traded from the Wizards to the Kings and then to the Nuggets. While the trade seemed strategic for both teams, a report surfaced suggesting Valanciunas might leave the NBA for a three-year contract with Panathinaikos in Greece. This raised questions about the Nuggets’ intentions behind acquiring him. Speculation about whether the Nuggets were aware of his potential decision to forgo $10 million to pursue an overseas career has emerged, as the situation continues to unfold with various insider reports.
The Kings no longer wanted Valanciunas because they don't want to pay him the $10 million he will be owed next season.
On July 3, reporters at Basketnews.com reported that Valanciunas was 'close to accepting' a three-year, $13 million contract from Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos.
This was another report of the type that usually escapes notice during the offseason - an aging European player getting himself bought out of his NBA contract.
Did they know all along that he wanted to give up $10 million to go to Greece? Did they only acquire him to free up even more cap space?
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