Before Ben Tenzer could be in charge of the Nuggets’ front office, he had to run errands for Derrick Rose, Jason Giambi and Russell Westbrook.

The implication was that Valančiūnas wanted to finish his NBA career so he could be closer to his family in Europe. From there, it sounded like he was willing to surrender his NBA salary in full had the Nuggets granted him permission out of a contract that has two years of team control (and just under $20.4 million total) remaining.

Ben Tenzer before the first quarter between the Denver Nuggets and the Boston Celtics at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, March 7, 2024. (AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post/TNS)

DENVER — Ben Tenzer spent enough hours at his friend’s house for it to qualify as a second residence by high school. When he would eventually return to his actual home, his parents would ask ...

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