Report: Kings trading Jonas Valanciunas to Nuggets for Dario Saric

The Denver Nuggets have finally acquired a backup big.

The Nuggets are getting centre Jonas Valanciunas from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for forward Dario Saric, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday.

Valanciusnas was acquired by the Kings at the deadline last season in a deal from the Washington Wizards.

Splitting time between the two sides last year, the former Raptors big averaged 10.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and two assists while shooting 55.0 per cent from the field over a career-low 18.8 minutes a night

It was the first time in his 13-year NBA career that the 33-year-old primarily came off the bench, starting only 21 of his 81 appearances.

He’ll now continue that role behind the likes of Nikola Jokic in Denver.

The Nuggets have consistently struggled at the five when Jokic has to head to the bench. DeAndre Jordan was the team’s primary backup big last season.

The Denver Nuggets are looking to give big man Nikola Jokic more help next season. The team took a step in that direction Tuesday, reportedly agreeing to acquire Jonas Valanciunas from the Sacramento Kings, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Valanciunas, 33, gives Denver some much-needed depth. And is another big body who can spell Jokic, or pair with the three-time MVP if the Nuggets want to go big. In 81 games last season, Valanciunas averaged 10.4 points and 7.7 rebounds while seeing time with both the Kings and Washington Wizards. He was mostly used off the bench, starting just 21 games.

Valanciunas is under contract for two more seasons, and will make $10 million in each of the final two years on his contract. He signed a three-year, $30 million extension with the New Orleans Pelicans as part of a sign-and-trade in 2024.

The Nuggets have been among the most active teams in free agency so far. In addition to acquiring Valanciunas, the team also traded for Cam Johnson on Monday. Shortly after making that trade, the Nuggets brought back Bruce Brown on a one-year deal. Monday’s moves put the Nuggets under the first salary cap apron and opened up a $14.1 million mid-level exception for the team, which has been trying to retool with Jokic.

Saric, 31, was a part-time player with the Nuggets last season. The center averaged 3.5 points and 3.1 rebounds while playing 13.1 minutes per game.