"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?"
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.
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