The first two days of the free agency window have seen significant activity around the league, with several teams making some big moves. Among these, however, the Denver Nuggets have remained fairly quiet. That is, until now.
The Denver Nuggets entered the offseason with major concerns regarding their roster. Although the core still boasts the potential to compete for the title, with Nikola Jokic leading the team, the lack of frontcourt depth, specifically in the big man rotation, is worrisome.
On that note, the Nuggets appear to have taken the first step in addressing this issue, as ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Denver signed former No. 2 overall pick Marvin Bagley III to a one-year vet minimum deal.
Bagley’s addition is critical, to say the least. Last season, the 6’10” forward played for the Washington Wizards and the Dallas Mavericks, appearing in 60 games over the course of the season. During this period, he posted averages of 10.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 0.7 blocks per game while shooting 61.8% from the field and 46.2% from three-point range.
Bagley’s versatility and athleticism could be a vital addition to the Nuggets’ frontcourt, especially as a backup for Nikola Jokic. However, his arrival becomes more critical in light of Jonas Valanciunas‘ imminent departure.
A recent update indicated that the Nuggets plan to waive Valanciunas’ $10 million contract ($2 million guaranteed) if they cannot facilitate a trade this offseason. This is paired with speculation that the center has already agreed to a two-year deal with the Lithuanian team, Zalgiris Kaunas.
Thus, in many ways, Marvin Bagley III not only serves as Jonas Valanciunas’ replacement but also as a slight upgrade, given that he is only 27. While this is positive news, it can be argued that this is only a minor victory for the Nuggets.
The Denver Nuggets Are Due For A Roster Shakeup
This year’s offseason was bound to be a challenging one for the Denver Nuggets. After crashing out of the playoffs in the second round against a shorthanded Minnesota Timberwolves team, many questions were raised about the current core’s ability to contend.
Realistically, these questions would be out of place since the Nuggets won the NBA championship in 2023 with this exact core. However, considering the team’s financial constraints, the concerns are understandable.
Given that Jokic is also eligible to sign a massive extension this year, the Nuggets face a dire need to shed some salary. Hence, according to internal reports, virtually every player not named Nikola Jokic has been made available in trade discussions.
As things stand, players such as Aaron Gordon and Cam Johnson have generated the most buzz among players on Denver’s roster. Should the Nuggets succeed in offloading these contracts (roughly $55 million) for minimal returns, along with Jonas Valanciunas’ $10 million deal, Denver may have enough cap space to retain Peyton Watson, whom they have been inclined to re-sign.
This could effectively address the Nuggets’ salary cap concerns, but from a competitive standpoint, Denver wouldn’t be as convincing as a title contender.
Overall, the Nuggets have some tough decisions to make this offseason. If Jokic accepts a slight pay cut, however, Denver may gain some flexibility to make the necessary moves.
