Jonas Valanciunas speaks on the goal of the Denver Nuggets bench when Nikola Jokic sits.
The Denver Nuggets brought in Jonas Valanciunas during the offseason to help mtigate their struggles when star center Nikola Jokic needed a rest.
Nuggets fans have often seen their team build up a big lead when Jokic is on the floor, only to watch the lead disappear when the three-time MVP is subbed out.
Speaking to reporters, Valanciunas explained the goal of the bench when Jokic and company start to sit.
"As a second unit, we have to manage that and keep the lead, that is our job. I think we have a capable bench. The starters are doing a great job, so we have to maintain that. So, we talked on the bench that we can't let that happen," said Jonas.
After struggling for three straight games, and finishing with a minus rating when he was on the floor, Valancuinas had his best performance as a Nugget on Friday against the Golden State Warriors.
He finished with 16 points and six rebounds, and was a +6 on the night.
Jokic Sits, Nuggets Struggle
The story of the Denver Nuggets has often boiled down to one simple fact: When Nikola Jokic sits, the team struggles.
The Nuggets had an offensive rating of 133.3 with Jokic on the floor in 2024-25, but that number dipped all the way to 112.3 when he sat. The Nuggets employed DeAndre Jordan and Dario Saric as the back up bigs for Jokic last season.
The Nuggets had a net rating of -3.5 and a point differential of -7.3 when Jordan was in the game.
The numbers with the former Kings big man are only slightly better this season as Denver is -6.4 per 100 possession with Valancuinas on the floor on this season. Jonas and Jamal Murray have particularly struggled together with a -8.6 net rating.
Improved Depth
The Nuggets worked in the offseason to improve the depth around Jokic, Murray, and Aaron Gordon. Along with trading two second-round picks and Sidy Cissoko for Valanciunas, the team brought back Bruce Brown, who was part of their championship run in 2022-23. They also signed Tim Hardaway Jr to give them extra shooting off the bench.
Brown is averaging 6.4 points and 3.8 rebounds while Hardaway Jr is shooting 43% from three and contributing 10.8 points.
For his part, Jonas has 9.3 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.