The Nuggets have a logical reason behind their reported inclination to block Jonas Valanciunas' reported move to Panathinaikos.

The Denver Nuggets have made it clear this offseason that they need a dependable backup center behind Nikola Jokic. The front office moved quickly to address that concern by targeting veteran big man Jonas Valanciunas.

According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, the Denver Nuggets do not intend to let Jonas Valanciunas out of his NBA contract. Valanciunas, who was traded by the Sacramento Kings to the Nuggets, wants to leave the NBA for Panathinaikos.