Final season clearly demonstrated the Denver Nuggets want to seek out aid for Nikola Jokic.
The three-time MVP struggled with workload administration whereas the Nuggets faltered throughout non-Jokic minutes all through the marketing campaign.
The demanding schedule pressured Nikola Jokic to play a career-high 36.7 minutes per recreation, creating an unsustainable burden that NBA journalist Rachel Nichols deemed unacceptable.
Regardless of delivering triple-double averages of 29.6 factors, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists, Jokic confirmed indicators of fatigue.
The exhaustion from final season contributed to Jokic’s disappointing EuroBasket 2025 efficiency, the place Serbia was eradicated within the spherical of 16.
His early match exit demonstrated how NBA workload impacts worldwide competitors efficiency.
The Nuggets seem to have discovered their answer by signing backup middle Jonas Valanciunas, who simply showcased his continued effectiveness throughout EuroBasket 2025, regardless that Lithuania fell to Greece within the quarterfinals.
His 24 factors and 15 rebounds in opposition to Greece created match historical past.
The efficiency marked his sixth EuroBasket recreation with 20+ factors and 10+ rebounds, making him simply the fourth participant to attain these numbers over the previous 30 years.
Valanciunas joined an elite group that includes Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, and Andrei Kirilenko.
The Lithuanian veteran might not be a celebrity, however supplies dependable manufacturing and veteran management.
Final season with the Washington Wizards and Sacramento Kings, Valanciunas averaged 10.4 factors and seven.7 rebounds whereas taking pictures over 50% from the sphere.
His effectivity and rebounding potential immediately deal with Denver’s backup middle wants.
All through the EuroBasket match, Valanciunas additionally confirmed his worth, as he averaged 15.7 factors and 6.7 rebounds whereas taking pictures an excellent 64.7% from the sphere.
Together with his confirmed potential as an environment friendly middle and dependable rebounder, Valanciunas ought to present significant contributions throughout non-Jokic minutes.
