Nikola Jokic's backup gets brutally honest about his future with Denver Nuggets

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Nikola Jokic's backup gets brutally honest about his future with Denver Nuggets originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Reserve center Jonas Valanciunas still has one year remaining on his current contract with the Denver Nuggets, but he's feeling unsure regarding his future with the franchise.

Nuggets president Josh Kroenke made it clear that everything outside of trading three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic was on the table for Denver this offseason, which means that Valanciunas could be traded, or waived, since his contract for next season is non-guaranteed.

Jonas Valanciunas facing uncertain future with Denver Nuggets​

As a result, Valanciunas is unable to speak on his basketball future with any certainty at this point in time.

"First of all, everything depends on whether they trade me, keep me, or not. That is their decision. Right now I think their bigger question is what they will do with the roster in general, who stays and who leaves," Valanciunas said. "As far as I understand, only Nikola Jokic is untouchable, while everyone else can be traded.”

Valanciunas is hoping for some clarity on his future in Denver by late June or early July. His contract becomes fully-guaranteed on July 8, so the Nuggets would have to make a decision one way or another before that date.

“I think everything will be clear in the first week of July, maybe even earlier. I want to play, I want to enjoy basketball, and I want to win. I can do everything. My heart is in basketball, not in a specific city or team," Valanciunas said.

"We will see which situation gives me the best chance, I want to win. I have to win. I want to win. I want to win titles, so I want to put myself in the best possible position to do that.”

If things don't work out in Denver, Valanciunas will have other options, including going to play professionally in Lithuanian, like he did before he entered the NBA in 2012.

“Many have paid attention to me. They have contacted me," Valanciunas said. "There were talks with two teams and one Lithuanian club. The conversations are ongoing, and we will make a decision when the time comes.”

So for Valanciunas, at this point the question isn't if he'll be playing basketball next season, but where he'll be playing.

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