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.

The Denver Nuggets are mired in quite the odd time. The Jonas Valanciunas to Europe saga isn't complete yet, but he's not even the only Nuggets player departing. Vlatko Cancar was reported earlier in the week as leaving to play in Italy, and he himself confirmed that news in a podcast appearance.