The Denver Nuggets overhauled their bench this offseason after getting eliminated from the second round of last year's playoffs. That process included acquiring Jonas Valančiūnas, the veteran center entering his 15th NBA season who last played for the Sacramento Kings. The Nuggets traded for Valančiūnas in hopes he would provide quality minutes backing up three-time MVP Nikola Jokić, which has long been a problem spot for the roster.
However, shortly after executing the trade rumors emerged that Valančiūnas might head overseas to play in Greece for Panathinaikos. These rumors have lingered for a few weeks now; the Nuggets have publicly insisted they intend for Valančiūnas to play in Denver all the while, but the man himself had yet to shoot down anything suggesting he might play internationally.
