Jonas Valančiūnas

After nearly departing for Europe last offseason, Valančiūnas is officially leaving the NBA following 14 seasons. The veteran big man played for six different NBA teams over the course of his career, posting averages of 12.8 points and 9.0 rebounds. He spent his most recent season with the Nuggets as a depth center behind Nikola Jokić, playing 13.4 minutes per game, which were the fewest of his career. If this is the end of Valančiūnas’ NBA journey, he’ll most likely be remembered as a Toronto Raptor, where he spent 6.5 seasons and started for several championship-contending teams.

The Nuggets had until the end of Wednesday to decide whether to fully guarantee Valančiūnas’ $10 million contract for next season. The veteran center had a $2 million partial guarantee before July 9; Wednesday’s reported transaction makes Valančiūnas a free agent once he clears waivers, saving the Nuggets some money. He appeared in 65 games last season, averaging 8.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 13.4 minutes. Given last summer’s rumors that Valančiūnas was interested in returning to Europe, it may not be a lock that he remains in the NBA next season.

The Nuggets’ backups beat the Thunder’s backups and Valančiūnas led the way with a monster game down low. The 33-year-old center has shown over the past two seasons that he can put up great fantasy games when given the opportunity. Valančiūnas can be considered a league-winner in currently active fantasy leagues.

With no Cameron Johnson (ankle), the Nuggets decided to slide Valančiūnas into the starting lineup. And Monday’s game was the first in which Valančiūnas started alongside Nikola Jokić. The veteran center was solid in his 17 minutes, with Bruce Brown (4/3/4/1) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (7/6/1 with one three-pointer) each playing 30 minutes off the bench. Even if Johnson isn’t available for Thursday’s game against the Lakers and Valančiūnas gets another start, JV’s unlikely to get the minutes needed to affect fantasy basketball with a healthy Jokić in the lineup.

The Nuggets won’t have Cameron Johnson (ankle) for Monday’s game, which frees up a spot in the starting lineup. They’ve decided to go big, with Valančiūnas joining the starters. Since Murray and Jokić are also available, JV offers limited fantasy upside.

Valančiūnas was initially listed as probable with a calf injury, so his availability isn’t a surprise. With Nikola Jokic (knee) returning from injury, though, Valančiūnas will head back to the bench and lose most of his fantasy value.

While Valančiūnas did not play both games of the Nuggets’ most recent back-to-back, he appears to be on track to play Friday night after logging 25 minutes in Thursday’s win over the Nets. With Nikola Jokić (knee) possibly returning on Friday, the Nuggets may be able to keep JV’s minutes down simply by having the three-time MVP in the lineup.

Valančiūnas was initially listed as probable, and now he is officially cleared to suit up. This could mean that he won’t play the second leg of this back-to-back against the Clippers since he didn’t play the second leg of their last back-to-back. If that happens, Zeke Nnaji could return to the starting lineup.

Valančiūnas, who starts for the injured Nikola Jokić (knee), recorded a double-double in Tuesday’s loss to the Pistons. The probable tag suggests that he’ll be available on Thursday, and this matchup could be a good one for the veteran center.

Similarly to last season when Domantas Sabonis was injured which opened up playing time for Valančiūnas to thrive on the Kings, Nikola Jokic’s injury has done the same for Valančiūnas on the Nuggets. That could be coming to an end as soon as next week as Jokic will be re-evaluated for his return then. Valančiūnas continues to be a great waiver wire addition since Jokic went down and Tuesday’s 16-point, 16-rebound effort showed that once again.

Valančiūnas missed Friday’s win over the Bucks and was listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Grizzlies, which was postponed for bad weather. He was initially listed as probable Tuesday, so his availability isn’t surprising. Zeke Nnaji will return to the bench after playing 37 minutes when Valančiūnas was out against the Bucks. Both Valančiūnas and Nnaji will eventually be squeezed for minutes when Nikola Jokic (knee) returns.

Valančiūnas did not play in Friday’s win over the Bucks, which prompted Zeke Nnaji to move into the starting lineup. With Aaron Gordon (hamstring) out, Nnaji’s playing time may remain high, but he could be asked to come off the bench.

Valančiūnas did not play in Friday’s win over the Bucks, with Zeke Nnaji starting in his place and playing 37 minutes. Given Denver’s lack of depth in the frontcourt, Nnaji would be worth streaming in deep leagues if he starts.

Valančiūnas returned to the lineup on Thursday following a multi-week absence, so it isn’t surprising that he’ll miss the second leg of this back-to-back. Zeke Nnaji and DaRon Holmes should take on larger roles with Valančiūnas out of the lineup, though only Nnaji has upside as a streamer.

Valančiūnas returned to the lineup on Thursday and posted a 16/9 line across 22 minutes. After multiple weeks on the shelf, it’s understandable that he’s questionable for the second leg of the Nuggets’ back-to-back set. If JV sits this one out, Zeke Nnaji and DaRon Holmes II could handle additional playing time.

Valančiūnas was back in the lineup after missing the past few weeks, and he immediately started and played 22 minutes. He got off to a hot start, scoring eight points in the first three minutes. He wasn’t quite as effective the rest of the way, but it was important for Denver to have him back out on the floor. This was the first leg of a back-to-back, so don’t expect Valančiūnas to be available to take on Milwaukee on Friday. That should mean a return to the starting lineup for Spencer Jones.

Valančiūnas is available for the first time since straining his right calf on New Year’s Eve, prompting a change to the Nuggets’ starting lineup. With the veteran center available, Spencer Jones heads to the bench, which shifts Gordon back to his familiar power forward position.

Thursday’s game will be Valančiūnas’ first since New Year’s Eve, when he strained his right calf during a win over the Raptors. While a minutes restriction is likely, the veteran center’s return likely means that fewer minutes will be available to Zeke Nnaji.

Valančiūnas has been out since straining his right calf during a December 31 win over the Raptors. A return on Thursday would mean he’s about a week ahead of schedule. While the veteran center will likely be under a minutes restriction, Zeke Nnaji will get less playing time.

On January 1, Valančiūnas was given a four-week timeline for re-evaluation, but the questionable tag indicates that he is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a right calf strain. If Valančiūnas is cleared to return, he’ll likely face a minutes restriction, but DaRon Holmes II and Zeke Nnaji could see their playing times reduced.