Latest news with #non-Jokic
NBC Sports
07-07-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Nuggets reportedly tell Jonan Valanciunas they expect him to honor contract
One of the deals that made the Denver Nuggets a winner this offseason was trading for Jonas Valanciunas. He would be the best backup center of the Nikola Jokic era in Denver... Except Valanciunas reportedly wanted to play in Europe. He spoke with officials from Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos about a return to Europe, and they reportedly were willing to offer three years, $13 million, which would make him one of the highest-paid players on the continent. The problem is it's not Valanciunas' call. Nor Panathinaikos. It's Denver's. Valanciunas can't abandon his two-year, $20.4 million contract and quit the Nuggets. There are FIBA rules about such things. The Nuggets informed Valanciunas' representatives that 'the franchise fully intends to have him honor his contract,' reports ESPN's Shams Charania. If Denver sticks to its guns on this, the conversation is over. While this could be a negotiating tactic by the Nuggets, don't bet on it. Denver wants to contend next season, and Valanciunas is too valuable a player for the Nuggets to just let walk away. For years, Denver's biggest Achilles' heel has been the team's non-Jokic minutes — Valanciunas can help turn that tide (especially when paired with Bruce Brown, Peyton Watson and the emerging Julian Strawther). Also, because Valanciunas is very skilled at dribble handoffs and short midrange shots (inside 15 feet), the Nuggets don't have to switch up their offensive scheme when Jokic is out. The road to Valanciunas playing in Greece next season is long and requires the cooperation of Denver. Under FIBA rules (the governing body of international basketball), a player under contract, such as Valanciunas, needs a FIBA 'letter of clearance' to sign with another team. (For the record, this rule applies to European teams trying to sign NBA players, or NBA teams trying to sign European players.) In this case, it would mean Valanciunas and the Nuggets would have to agree to a buyout, freeing him from his contract (the Nuggets would likely expect him to give up all of that money). After that, FIBA would issue the letter and Valanciunas could sign. The question is, why would Denver do that? More likely than not, Denver will bring back Valanciunas this season and see how it plays out. A year from now, maybe Denver and Valanciunas work out a buyout, but the Nuggets upgraded this offseason and are serious contenders for another ring. They aren't going to let Valanciunas simply walk away.
USA Today
04-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NBA stock up, stock down after free agency and draft: Rockets, Nuggets make big moves
NBA free agency has hit something of a lull. While some talented players remain available, the biggest moves have taken place, leaving a clear indication of which teams have become far better than they were two weeks ago. Similarly, whether because of luxury tax or apron considerations, or because of differences in roster building, it's clear teams that lost key players aren't quite as strong as they had been. In any case, all teams are chasing the 2025 NBA Finals champion Oklahoma City Thunder, who are returning their young core. Here's a look at four NBA teams whose stock is up after the NBA draft and free agency and four teams whose stock is down. Stock up They are clearly making a move to win an NBA title. The trade for Kevin Durant will generate the most discussion, but Houston also made a few corresponding moves that set it up for contention. Re-signing Steven Adams was huge, as the Rockets thrived with their double-big lineup alongside Alpren Sengun. To bolster that even further, the Rockets signed Clint Capela, where he played the first six seasons of his career. But perhaps the sneakiest expert move was nabbing 3-and-D forward Dorian Finney-Smith, who now gives Houston coveted depth and length at the wing. In a league that is often called a copycat league, trying to replicate what another successful team did, you need the right personnel. The Nuggets are trying to do what Oklahoma City did — building a team with players who provide depth and offensive and defensive versatility and anchored by an MVP-caliber player (Nikola Jokic in the Nuggets' case). Denver traded for Cam Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas, and signed Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. Valanciunas provides much-needed help with the non-Jokic minutes, Cam Johnson is two-way upgrade over Michael Porter Jr. whom the Nuggets traded to get Johnson, Brown is back in his comfort zone where he helped the Nuggets win the 2023 title, and Hardaway was a starter and 36.8% 3-point shooter for a 44-win Pistons team last season. Denver was 50-32 last season, and new coach David Adelman will have a deep roster to try and win a title with Jokic and Jamal Murray leading the way. The Hawks have had a tremendous offseason. From getting Kristaps Porzingis at a discount, to solid depth pieces in free agency like Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard, Atlanta has put itself in position to compete in a wide-open East. The Hawks did lose Clint Capela, though Onyeka Okongwu had taken his starting spot and also lost Caris LeVert, but the Alexander-Walker move offsets that. The move that was a stroke of genius, though, might not be felt for another year. The Hawks traded down 10 spots in the draft and landed an unprotected first-rounder from the New Orleans Pelicans that could become a lottery selection. And, Atlanta still came away with a talented forward in Asa Newell at No. 23. The Pistons added depth with Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson, and they are in the mix for Malik Monk, who was second in Sixth Man of the Year voting in 2023-24. Paul Reed returns to Detroit, providing front-court depth. Regardless of the Monk situation — the Pistons might acquire him as part of a sign-and-trade that sends Dennis Schröder to Sacramento, Detroit supplemented its roster with shooting, playmaking and depth, and it has availability to add more players in free agency. As Cade Cunningham progresses as an All-NBA guard, the Pistons are in position to take another jump in the East. Stock down It's a strange time in Lakers Land. They lost Dorian Finney-Smith in free agency, LeBron James' future with the franchise is unclear and while DeAndre Ayton has the physical tools to help, will he be available enough and have the necessary motivation and dedication with Los Angeles? The Lakers have been running on two tracks — win now with James and Luka Doncic, and prepare for a future without James. It's getting more difficult for the Lakers to have it both ways. With Oklahoma City loaded and Houston and Denver making moves, where do the Lakers fit in the West? Are they any closer to championship contention than they were when the lost in the first round in April? Losing center Myles Turner, who had been the longest-tenured Pacer, is one thing; losing him to a fiercely hated rival is another. But because the Pacers seem unwilling to dip into the luxury tax, they have been limited with the moves they can do. Indiana was also without a first-round pick, though trading early in the second round for guard Kam Jones was a decent move. Still, with no reliable option at center, and with star point guard Tyrese Haliburton expected to miss all of next season with a torn Achilles, it has been a rough go since the middle of the first quarter of Game 7 of the NBA Finals. The Kings are in transition with a new front office led by vice president of basketball operations Scott Perry and new head coach Doug Christie. The Kings will acquire Dennis Schröder, and they're still in the mix for other deals/potential roster improvements (Golden State Warriors restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga is a player to watch), but will it be enough to make a difference for a team that was 40-42 in a deep Western Conference last season? Is he the answer at point guard after losing De'Aaron Fox at the trade deadline? The Kings could also lose Malik Monk's scoring punch. Trading Jonas Valanciunas for Dario Saric is also a downgrade. The good: Minnesota re-upped with a pair of its key contributors in Julius Randle and sixth man Naz Reid. The bad: they reportedly lost defensive wing Nickeil Alexander-Walker in a sign-and-trade, getting a 2027 second-round pick and cash considerations in return. Alexander-Walker was a significant part of the team's identity, but the biggest issue facing the Timberwolves is that — after making consecutive trips to the Western Conference finals but falling short — the status quo doesn't appear to be the answer. And No. 17 overall draft pick Joan Beringer, 19, is a project. The biggest stories, every morning. Stay up-to-date on all the key sports developments by subscribing to USA TODAY Sports' newsletter.
USA Today
24-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Jamal Murray had a revealing message about Nuggets' mindset without Nikola Jokic
Jamal Murray had a revealing message about Nuggets' mindset without Nikola Jokic In the almost two full regular seasons since the Denver Nuggets won their first NBA championship in franchise history, there's been a simmering conversation about the non-Nikola Jokic players on the roster. Are they good enough to pull their own weight without the three-time NBA MVP? Can they still succeed and play quality basketball if the all-time great isn't making everything easy for them? The answer for most teams without their top superstar who does so much heavy lifting would probably be a resounding "no." Newsflash: it's hard to win without your best player. In other news, water is wet and grass is green. But as Jokic rests and recovers from left ankle nerve impingement (he is set to miss five consecutive games at the time of this writing), there's been a question of pride for the other Nuggets. They still have great core players like Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Michael Porter Jr. on the roster. They still expect to be an NBA title contender this spring. Even if they're built around Jokic's exemplary generational talent, everything shouldn't fall into complete discord the moment he's off the court. And yet, when Jokic is out or resting on the bench during game action, the Nuggets often fall apart. After the Nuggets pulled off a stellar 116-111 win on the road over the Houston Rockets on Sunday, Murray (39 points, seven assists, four rebounds) made it apparent he's aware of this non-Jokic conversation in Denver. In a game (without Jokic) where the Nuggets looked like a coherent basketball team against the Western Conference's current No. 2 playoff seed, they proved something. But not to anyone from the outside looking in. As Murray said, the Nuggets proved something to themselves. They are not all Jokic. They actually don't need him to do everything to shine. That means a lot: Let's make one thing clear, and it's obvious. The Nuggets aren't going anywhere this coming postseason without a healthy Jokic. That's the primary reason they're being cautious and proactive by giving him extended rest to recuperate right now from the tremendous toll the 2024-2025 season has taken on his body. But even when Jokic returns, the other Nuggets will have to help him pull the rope if Denver wants a deep playoff run, let alone win a title. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Full stop. After a week where they won without Jokic in Golden State and Houston, the non-Jokic Nuggets have shown they're much more capable than many believe in that regard. Especially themselves. That much is clear. Now, for Murray and friends, it's about sustaining this high level of effort and play for when their big Serbian talisman comes back to the lineup. For once, maybe that prospect actually is a lot easier done than said.
CBS News
06-03-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Nuggets snap Kings 4-game win streak with 116-110 victory
DENVER — Nikola Jokic had 22 points and 14 rebounds, Russell Westbrook scored 25 points, and the Denver Nuggets rallied in the fourth quarter to beat the Sacramento Kings 116-110 on Wednesday night. Jamal Murray added 24 points for Denver, which has won the first three games between the teams this season. DeMar DeRozan scored 18 of his 35 points in the third quarter to give Sacramento a 93-84 lead heading into the fourth, but Westbrook gave the Nuggets a lift with seven straight points. Zeke Nnaji's 3-pointer from the top of the circle put Denver ahead 96-95, its first lead since the first quarter, but Zach LaVine heated up after the Nuggets went up 110-104. He scored 12 of his 20 points in the fourth, including two deep 3-pointers that kept the Kings within three. Westbrook hit another 3-pointer and Murray and Jokic sealed it from the line. Takeaways Kings: Got a boost from Jake LaRivia, whose 15 points are the most since coming over from Memphis in early February. He scored 11 points in just 4:21 of action in the first quarter and had 15 at halftime but was held scoreless in the second half. Nuggets: Aaron Gordon missed his third straight game with an ankle injury, while Peyton Watson returned after missing 13 games with a knee sprain. Watson had two points in 17 minutes. Key moment The Nuggets usually struggle in the non-Jokic minutes but they outscored the Kings 12-2 to start the fourth with the three-time MVP on the bench. Key stat Murray was fouled three times on 3-point attempts and made all nine free throws. He went 14 of 15 from the line, finishing with more attempts and makes than Sacramento. Up next The Kings host the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night. The Nuggets wrap up their quick two-game homestand Friday night against the Phoenix Suns.
Associated Press
06-03-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Jokic has 22 points, 14 rebounds, Nuggets beat Kings, 116-110
DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 22 points and 14 rebounds, Russell Westbrook scored 25 points, and the Denver Nuggets rallied in the fourth quarter to beat the Sacramento Kings 116-110 on Wednesday night. Jamal Murray added 24 points for Denver, which has won the first three games between the teams this season. DeMar DeRozan scored 18 of his 35 points in the third quarter to give Sacramento a 93-84 lead heading into the fourth, but Westbrook gave the Nuggets a lift with seven straight points. Zeke Nnaji's 3-pointer from the top of the circle put Denver ahead 96-95, its first lead since the first quarter, but Zach LaVine heated up after the Nuggets went up 110-104. He scored 12 of his 20 points in the fourth, including two deep 3-pointers that kept the Kings within three. Westbrook hit another 3-pointer and Murray and Jokic sealed it from the line. Takeaways Kings: Got a boost from Jake LaRivia, whose 15 points are the most since coming over from Memphis in early February. He scored 11 points in just 4:21 of action in the first quarter and had 15 at halftime but was held scoreless in the second half. Nuggets: Aaron Gordon missed his third straight game with an ankle injury, while Peyton Watson returned after missing 13 games with a knee sprain. Watson had two points in 17 minutes. Key moment The Nuggets usually struggle in the non-Jokic minutes but they outscored the Kings 12-2 to start the fourth with the three-time MVP on the bench. Key stat Murray was fouled three times on 3-point attempts and made all nine free throws. He went 14 of 15 from the line, finishing with more attempts and makes than Sacramento. Up next The Kings host the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night. The Nuggets wrap up their quick two-game homestand Friday night against the Phoenix Suns. ___
