Knicks, Lakers linked to Jonas Valanciunas as Nuggets’ contract deadline nears

Love it or hate it, the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers keep getting linked to the same big men in the free-agent market.

After the Knicks took the lead in the race for veteran New Orleans Pelicans center Kevon Looney, edging the Lakers to it, it’s the Los Angeles mob who has now seemingly overtaken New York in the pursuit of Denver Nuggets big man Jonas Valanciunas while also getting some interest in Loony.

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Looney seemed to be the Knicks’ primary target in the market before New York reached a deal with Andre Drummond on Friday.

Now, according to NBA reporters Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, the Lakers have shown interest in both Looney and Valanciunas, with the Euro also being in New York’s radar, according to SNY’s Ian Begley and The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III.

“Looney remains on the Lakers’ radar, sources say, as does Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas. The latter, remember, was a Lakers free agent target two summers ago before Valanciunas opted to sign a multiyear deal with Washington instead.

“Sources say that the Lakers’ interest, furthermore, is certainly welcomed by the Nuggets, who have made Valanciunas available in trade conversations since Denver’s season ended and especially in connection with the recent draft as the Nuggets explored various deals while also shopping the No. 26 overall pick.”

Stein and Fischer added another name to the list of potential Knicks’ targets for their backup center spots, reporting that New York is “monitoring” Charlotte Hornets big man Moussa Diabate, whose expiring $2.5 million contract fit New York’s second-apron plans and could be easy to trade for in a one-for-one deal.

Back to Valanciunas, it looks like landing the Lithuanian could take a bit of patience on top of beating competitors such as the Lake Show.

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Valanciunas has one year left on his contract with Denver at a $10 million cap hit, but that figure can drop to a $2 million guarantee if the Nuggets waive him by Wednesday, July 8. That deadline creates three realistic paths for the Nuggets and JoVa:

Trade him before July 8, avoiding paying him the $10 (or…

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Publish date : 2026-07-05 15:30:00

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