Last season clearly demonstrated the Denver Nuggets need to find relief for Nikola Jokic.
The three-time MVP struggled with workload management while the Nuggets faltered during non-Jokic minutes throughout the campaign.
The demanding schedule forced Nikola Jokic to play a career-high 36.7 minutes per game, creating an unsustainable burden that NBA journalist Rachel Nichols deemed unacceptable.
Despite delivering triple-double averages of 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists, Jokic showed signs of fatigue.
Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver PostJonas Valanciunas achieves historic EuroBasket milestone with elite company
The exhaustion from last season contributed to Jokic’s disappointing EuroBasket 2025 performance, where Serbia was eliminated in the round of 16.
His early tournament exit demonstrated how NBA workload affects international competition performance.
The Nuggets appear to have found their solution by signing backup center Jonas Valanciunas, who just showcased his continued effectiveness during EuroBasket 2025, even though Lithuania fell to Greece in the quarterfinals.
His 24 points and 15 rebounds against Greece created tournament history.
The performance marked his sixth EuroBasket game with 20+ points and 10+ rebounds, making him just the fourth player to achieve those numbers over the past 30 years.
Valanciunas joined an elite group featuring Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, and Andrei Kirilenko.
Jonas Valanciunas 🇱🇹 with his 6th #EuroBasket game with 20+ points and 10+ rebounds: only three players have had more such games in the EuroBasket over the last 30 years (Dirk Nowitzki 🇩🇪, 11; Pau Gasol 🇪🇸, 10; Andrei Kirilenko 🇷🇺, 7)
— Armando Caporaso (@Facu_PCF) September 9, 2025
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Denver Nuggets’ fatigue issues might be solved by Jonas Valanciunas
The Lithuanian veteran may not be a superstar, but provides reliable production and veteran leadership.
Last season with the Washington Wizards and Sacramento Kings, Valanciunas averaged 10.4 points and 7.7 rebounds while shooting over 50% from the field.
His efficiency and rebounding ability directly address Denver’s backup center needs.
Photo by Christina Pahnke – sampics/Corbis via Getty Images
Throughout the EuroBasket tournament, Valanciunas also showed his value, as he averaged 15.7 points and 6.7 rebounds while shooting an outstanding 64.7% from the field.
With his proven ability as an efficient center and reliable rebounder, Valanciunas should provide meaningful contributions during non-Jokic minutes.