The Nuggets dealt Dario Sarič to the Sacramento Kings and secured Valančiūnas as a backup option to Nikola Jokić, shoring up a key need behind the three-time NBA MVP. Valančiūnas, a 33-year-old native of Lithuania, is reportedly mulling a return closer to home but would need to secure a buyout in order to make the move to Europe.

Though Jonas Valančiūnas has drawn interest from teams in Europe following his trade to the Denver Nuggets from the Sacramento Kings, his new team reportedly expects him to suit up in the NBA this year.

The Denver Nuggets have informed Jonas Valanciunas ' representatives that the franchise fully expects the center to honor his contract, sources said.