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 and Jonas Valanciunas are about to be locked in a staredown. Denver agreed to a trade for Valanciunas, the veteran center, earlier this week. Then reports came out that Valanciunas had been offered a multi-year contract by Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos.