DENVER -- A backup plan to bring in a backup center to spell Nikola Jokic no longer appears necessary.
The Denver Nuggets expect Jonas Valanciunas to be with the team when the season starts amid speculation over his NBA future.
Denver's trade with Sacramento to acquire the 6-foot-11 Valanciunas for Dario Saric became official last weekend. Leading up that, reports emerged of Valanciunas being courted by the Greek EuroLeague club team Panathinaikos. It's led to a confusing situation given that Valanciunas still has two years remaining on his NBA deal that would pay him a total of more than $20 million.
Nuggets executive vice president of basketball operations Ben Tenzer attempted to tamp down any conjecture over Valanciunas' arrival during a news conference Friday that was set up to introduce Cam Johnson.
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