DENVER (AP) — A backup plan to bring in a backup center to spell Nikola Jokic no longer appears necessary.
The Denver Nuggets expect Jonas Valanciunas to be with the team when the season starts amid speculation over his NBA future.
Denver's trade with Sacramento to acquire the 6-foot-11 Valanciunas for Dario Saric became official last weekend. Leading up that, reports emerged of Valanciunas being courted by the Greek EuroLeague club team, Panathinaikos. It's led to a confusing situation given that Valanciunas still has two years remaining on his NBA deal that would pay him a total of more than $20 million.
Nuggets executive vice president of basketball operations Ben Tenzer attempted to tamp down any conjecture over Valanciunas' arrival during a news conference Friday that was set up to introduce Cam Johnson.
“There’s been nothing but healthy conversations in terms of him honoring his contract and him excited to be a Nugget,” Tenzer said of Valanciunas.
So, no concerns that Valanciunas might not be with the Nuggets to start the season?
“No concerns,” Tenzer said.
The trade for the 33-year-old Valanciunas looks to be the icing on a productive offseason that saw the front-office tandem of Tenzer and Jonathan Wallace remodel the team. The moves were in the wake of a Game 7 loss to NBA champion Oklahoma City in the second round.
The Nuggets also picked up Johnson in a deal that sent Michael Porter Jr. — a key contributor to their title run in 2023 — to Brooklyn. Denver added Bruce Brown, who was part of their championship run, and shooting guard/small forward Tim Hardaway Jr.
Tenzer said they've have had productive talks with Valanciunas, who’s slated to play for Lithuania at FIBA EuroBasket this summer. Someone from the Nuggets may even venture over there.
“Their plan is for him to get here sooner than later, but still working through that,” Wallace explained. "We’ll approach it at that time.”
Valanciunas is coming off a season in which he split time between Washington and Sacramento. He averaged 10.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and two assists over 81 games.
Denver is counting on him to give Jokic the occasional breather. The 30-year-old Jokic averaged a career-high 36.7 minutes per game last season.
A three-time NBA MVP, Jokic turned in a historic season where became the first NBA center to average a triple-double — 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds and 10.2 assists. His vision and feel for the game could take Johnson's performance to another level. Johnson averaged 18.8 points for the Nets last season.
“His best ability is just understanding where he is in space and where his teammates are in space at all times,” Johnson said of Jokic. “I find a spot, and there’s a high chance that he’s going to put the pass on time, on target.”
As for where Johnson might live in the Mile High city, he and Porter have chatted about possibly swapping houses.
“I don’t know if it will happen, but it’s being discussed right now,” Johnson said. “Obviously, when you get traded, everything’s flying around, everything’s moving. As the next couple of weeks wind down, we’ll start to become a little bit more established in our new markets and figure all that stuff out.”
He’s already received a warm welcome — and not even in Denver, either. While the former Phoenix Suns forward was having breakfast in Arizona, a table of Nuggets fans recognized him and wished him luck.
“The reception has been incredible,” Johnson said. “It has been really positive for me. Just a chance at winning is something that I really relish and something that I’ll do everything in my power to contribute to.”
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
FILE - Sacramento Kings center Jonas Valanciunas, left, guards New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, March 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Randall Benton, File)
FILE - Sacramento Kings center Jonas Valanciunas (17) works the ball inside as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 5, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 23, 2025--
MediaCo Holding Inc. (Nasdaq: MDIA), today announced the launch of HOT 97 News, a daily live national TV show created at the intersection of journalism, hip-hop, conversation, and culture. HOT 97 is entering the news space for the first time with a bold new format in January 2026.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251223985439/en/
HOT 97, the legendary hip-hop brand born in New York City and synonymous with culture-shifting conversations, is expanding its voice beyond radio to redefine how news is delivered across America. The TV show will bring a raw, unedited blend of breaking, hip hop and music news, entertainment, and unfiltered discussion, engaging the audience with stories through the cultural lens that has defined the HOT 97 brand for decades. HOT 97 News is created for a modern audience who want context, conversation, and authenticity, not just headlines. Leading the new news format will be Lana Harris, Ronndell Smith, and Million Connally-Cooper, breaking down every topic, elevating community voices, and giving people the context they need to move smarter every day.
HOT 97 News will broadcast and stream nationally across all HOT 97 TV and digital streaming platforms beginning January 2026. In addition, HOT 97 TV is also expanding its local footprint with HOT 97 News - Atlanta, a daily one-hour live news show focused exclusively on the Atlanta metro area. The local edition will spotlight Atlanta-area news, music, entertainment, and community conversations, reflecting the pace, perspective, and voice of the city. HOT 97 News - Atlanta will air on WHOT-TV 66 in Atlanta and stream across major platforms, giving local audiences access both on television and digitally.
Meet the Voices of HOT 97 News and HOT 97 News - Atlanta!
Leading the conversation is Lana Harris, a metro Atlanta native with more than a decade of experience across broadcast, digital, and social media. A Lovejoy High School graduate and University of Georgia alum, Lana has worked as a reporter, correspondent, anchor, and digital creator at stations across the Southeast, including Atlanta News First, WCNC-TV in Charlotte, First Coast News in Jacksonville, and WLTX-TV in Columbia, SC. Most recently, she’s built a strong following through sharp news breakdowns, commentary, and lifestyle content across social media. Follow Lana on all platforms @lanajharris.
Joining Lana is Ronndell Smith, an Atlanta-based comedian, host, and creative entrepreneur whose voice is deeply rooted in the city’s culture. Raised on Atlanta’s Southside, Ronndell brings 15 years of stand-up experience, a background in television and film, and a unique perspective shaped by his work with popular social media news brand GAFollowers, and appearances on Chrisley Knows Best. His storytelling is real, unfiltered, and unmistakably Atlanta .Follow Ronndell on all platforms @ronndell_smith.
Million Connally-Cooper joins the team as the Producer, but this isn’t a typical behind-the-scenes role. He’s part of the conversation every day. An Atlanta-based media personality and interviewer on a lifelong mission to complete one million interviews, Million brings street-level dialogue, debate-driven segments, and cultural curiosity straight to your screen. His mantra says it all: “Keep it Amilli.” Follow Million on all platforms @mynamesmillion.
HOT97 News and HOT 97 News - Atlanta
Real news. Deeper discussion. HOT 97 energy.
Dropping January 2026.
About MediaCo Holding Inc.
MediaCo Holding Inc. (Nasdaq: MDIA) is a diverse-owned, multi-platform media company serving multicultural audiences across the U.S. Through a network of iconic brands—including Hot 97, WBLS, EstrellaTV, Estrella News, Que Buena Los Angeles and the Don Cheto Radio Network—MediaCo reaches over 20 million people monthly via television, radio, digital, and streaming platforms. The company’s innovative and culturally resonant content spans music, news, and entertainment across major local and national markets. More info at www.mediacoholding.com.
Million Connally-Cooper
Ronndell Smith
Lana Harris
Hot 97 TV New Daily Live Show
