The respected NBA veteran sat at his locker bearing a wide smile. The reaction captured Jonas Valančiūnas’ excitement for his new team’s enduring success and his willingness to embrace a fluid backup role.

The Denver Nuggets secured a 130-116 victory over the LA Clippers on Thursday, mostly because star Nikola Jokić completed a near triple-double in points (55), rebounds (12) and assists (six). But Jokić was productive in only 34 minutes, partly because Nuggets coach David Adelman trusted Valančiūnas to log 11 minutes as a backup reserve because of his “readiness and professionalism.”

Even in that limited playing time, Valančiūnas still added eight points on 3-for-4 shooting and three rebounds while reducing some of Jokić’s workload on the second night of a back-to-back. After spending the majority of his career with Toronto (2012-18), Memphis (2019-2021) and New Orleans (2021-2024) as a respected starting center, Valančiūnas joined the Denver Nuggets this past summer for a clear reason. The Lithuanian was a part of rebuilding teams in Washington (2024-25) and Sacramento (2025), but he wanted to play for an NBA contender that featured the league’s best center.

“Jokić is doing something unbelievable every night,” Valančiūnas told EssentiallySports. “There are no nights off for him. I’ve never seen anybody play at this kind of level. So I’m happy to be a part of it.”

The Nuggets are happy for Valančiūnas to be a part of their journey, too.

Following their 2023 NBA title championship run, the Nuggets struggled to maintain most of their supporting cast amid league-imposed spending penalties. But following front office and head-coaching changes late last season, the Denver side also prioritized bolstering their depth around Jokić, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon. By adding Valančiūnas, the Nuggets have a respected center who can give quality backup minutes, partly to ease Jokić’s burden.

“Him getting what he got in 32 minutes is a lot better than him grinding it out in 39 minutes,” Nuggets coach David Adelman said. “If we can do that, not every night, but most of the nights or the majority of the nights, it’s going to help us in the long run.”

The Nuggets could’ve rested Jokić even more late against the Clippers. Amid his concern that double-digit leads aren’t safe in the modern NBA, Adelman subbed Jokić in for Valančiūnas as the Nuggets held a 122-103 cushion with 6:01 remaining. Jokić played until the Nuggets held a 125-107 cushion with 3:29 left before Adelman emptied his bench. But the Lithuanian has not complained about the fluid playing time. He has only relished the opportunities.

“Attitude wise, culture wise, statistically, everything has been positive,” Adelman said of Valančiūnas. “He brings such a good energy every day with the team. I feel like there is a part of him that is just really enjoying being on a successful team. He can be an impact guy on that team and play really important games.”

That’s because Valančiūnas has proven to be a plug-and-play backup center as both a burly defender and versatile stretch five.

“He’s a really good passer,” Jokić said of Valančiūnas. “So we have an advantage. I think most of the nights we’re going to have an advantage  from the low post to down under the basket. He’s willing to pass the ball. He’s not a guy that is going to force it. He has a really good touch.”

Valančiūnas spoke to EssentiallySports more about embracing his new role with the Nuggets, how Jokić impresses him and why the Nuggets are equipped to win another NBA title. Valančiūnas also shared his opinion on the NBA’s new changes to the upcoming All-Star game that will feature the league’s American stars against its international stars.

Editor’s note: The following one-on-one interview has been edited and condensed.

What do you think so far about your time with the Nuggets?

Valančiūnas: “I think it’s great. It’s fantastic to be a part of this organization, just hoop and win some games. It’s a totally different mood when you’re winning. It takes care of a lot of stuff. The mood is amazing here after winning one game. Being in a locker room like this, everybody understands the importance of every game during the season. It’s really fun to be here.”

Beyond winning games, why does this team have such a great locker room?

Valančiūnas: “The front office put a lot of work to put a good group of guys who are winners, who have great character and who are humble. No matter how many points you score or no matter how many minutes you play, everyone just wants to win. We thrive on having a winning mentality. It’s fun to be a part of it.”

When you signed with the team, you talked about your willingness to adapt to a different role. But David praised you for backing that up with your work and attitude. What have you done to try to show that?

Valančiūnas: “Well, Jokić is doing something unbelievable every night (laughs). There are no nights off for him. I’ve never seen anybody play at this kind of level. So I’m happy to be a part of it. I know my role. I’m great with my role. We’re winning. So I’m just enjoying it. I’m doing everything to help the team to win. So no matter how many minutes I play, I go out and play hard. I do my stuff and play team basketball. That’s all what it’s about for us.”

How did you process seeing Nikola score 55 points and posting nearly a triple-double in only 34 minutes [against the Clippers]?

Valančiūnas: “Well, we combined for 63 [points], so it’s great (laughs).

You’re an accomplished big man and you’ve been part of the NBA and international hoops. What makes Nikola the best of the best?

Valančiūnas: “It’s the little things. He’s buying into everything. He’s buying into team activities. He’s working hard. He’s in the gym early. He’s lifting after every game. It’s those little things. He’s not just leading on the court. He’s leading by example with how we need to work. In my 14 year, I’m still learning stuff from him with how to be a true leader. He’s not super vocal. But he shows everything by example on and off the court.”

What have you learned from him with that?

Valančiūnas: “No matter how you feel and no matter how many minutes you play, you work. You got to do what you need to do. You have to take care of yourself. When you’re in that mode, it’s beautiful to see. He works. He works super hard. He’s leading by example.”

What is the key for you to have such an impact on the game, even with fluid minutes?

Valančiūnas: “I know my role. I know what we do as a team. I know what I need to do on the court. I’m not trying to do too much. But I’m trying to do my job every night. That’s how I can be productive. With playing with the second unit, we have a different style of play than when the first unit plays. But we have something going on. We try to bump the lead up and be productive. It’s fun basketball.”

David talked about the benefit that your presence makes him comfortable to reduce some of Nikola’s minutes so he’s fresher throughout the season. What do you think that can do for Nikola later down the line?

Valančiūnas: “Nikola is not replaceable. Nobody is going to replace him. But I’m just trying to do my job. I’m trying to play team basketball and winning basketball. I’m trying to take the second unit and have them help us build the lead more. I’m using my time no matter how many minutes I get. I use that time to have a team-playing mentality. I’m just playing my game. We take one game at a time. Now we have Minnesota, so now we have to prepare. He’s playing and he’s healthy. He’s playing a tremendous level of basketball. I’m happy to see that. And I’m going to do everything that my role brings, no matter what. No matter what it’ll be tomorrow, I’ll do everything that has to be done.”

What have your practice battles been like with him?

Valančiūnas: “Not easy. Not easy (laughs). But during the season when you have so many games, you don’t really go at each other at game speed. That’s good (laughs). We’re on the same side. So we’re not beating each other up. We’re talking too, on the court, off the court, on the bench. We’re talking about how to get our one goal. All of us have the same goal in this locker room. So whoever can help with being vocal, leading by example or doing it on the court, we do it.”

What about as an opponent?

Valančiūnas: “It was tough. The last time I faced him, I was with Washington. He gave me 56 [points]. But we won the game (laughs). He worked pretty well.”

What do you think of the new All-Star tweaks with the games featuring American stars against the international stars?

Valančiūnas: “I don’t know. They’re changing that every year, probably. They’re giving some different looks. It’s cool. It’s something for the fans and it’s something different. It’s All-Star weekend. So it’s like a show. So whatever brings the fans and brings that interest from fans, it’s for fans. So it’s about what they want to see.”

What’s your outlook on whether this will improve the All-Star game?

Valančiūnas: “Yeah, I think so. Yes. Whatever they’re going to decide to do, I’m probably going to be on a beach somewhere watching TV. I’m rooting for the international guys.”

What do you make of this counterargument? No one expects players to have Game 7 intensity or to compromise their health. But why make all these changes and just put on a better show the traditional way?

Valančiūnas: “It depends what fans want to see. That should be a question for the fans and what they want to see. It’s All-Star weekend. It’s a show so it’s about what they want to see.”

It was reported you and the Nuggets agreed to push back your guarantee date next offseason [moved from June 29 to July 8]. What was your thought process?

Valančiūnas: “It gives us flexibility. It’s good for both sides. It gives some flexibility coming into free agency. That’s fine.”

Obviously, you’re here to win a championship. But what are your hopes for how this plays out for you this season and possibly beyond?

Valančiūnas: “To be honest, this year is just all about winning. We came out with a good start. It could’ve been better. Two of the games that we lost were close games. So that’s not great. But so far it’s been a great opportunity for us. We’ve won a lot of games. We are focusing on being all about winning this year. I don’t see what’s going to happen this summer, this and that, free agency or whatever. I don’t look at that. I’m looking at this moment about trying to win some games. Winning is going to take care of all of this.”

Mark Medina is an NBA insider for EssentiallySports. Follow him on X, Blue Sky, Instagram, Facebook and Threads.