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The Denver Nuggets have been in the midst of intriguing trade rumors over the past few days.
While the rumors haven’t included any of the Nuggets’ prized contributors, they are eye-opening, to say the least.
Mile High Sports’ Ryan Blackburn believes there’s a scenario where the Nuggets could pull the trigger on a trade that would send their 6-foot-11 backup center to the Los Angeles Lakers for a struggling $19.9 million duo.
“With Denver’s cap crunch and a backup center already in place, as well as (Jonas) Valanciunas’ reported interested in heading back overseas, the Nuggets are very likely to do something with Valanciunas," Blackburn wrote Monday.
“They don’t want his $10 million on their books, but another team might. The Lakers have had reported interest in Valanciunas after trading for Walker Kessler and trading away Deandre Ayton.”
“If Denver were to add Valanciunas and get something back, that would be a solid move. If they send out Valanciunas and a second-round pick to acquire Jake LaRavia and Bronny James, that will sound some serious alarm bells.”
LaRavia and James would be far from a solid return for a seasoned veteran big man in Valanciunas. LaRavia, whom the Lakers signed last summer following a remarkable perimeter shooting season with the Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings (42.3% for the year).
The Wake Forest product was disappointing in his first season with the Lakers, shooting a career-low 32.1% from beyond the arc in 82 games. While James was more productive from three in 2025-26 (38.6%), his overall shot-making and playmaking chops were below average in Year 2 with the Lakers.
The USC product contributed 2.9 points, 1.2 assists, and 0.5 rebounds in 42 contests with Los Angeles. Unless the Nuggets manage to sign James’ father, LeBron, before making a Valanciunas-centered trade with the Lakers, it’ll be challenging for them to convince others that the deal would be beneficial.
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