The Denver Nuggets have aggressively reshaped their roster this 2026 offseason, adding veterans on minimum deals after a disappointing first-round playoff exit. The team enters the new season riding a five-game winning streak from last April, including a 128-118 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on April 13.
The front office was busy. They matched a two-year, $11.75 million offer sheet for Spencer Jones and brought in several proven players on one-year minimum contracts. DeMar DeRozan, Marvin Bagley III, and Lonnie Walker IV headline that group. Tyus Jones also returned on a minimum deal, waiving his right to veto a trade.
Trades were a big part of the strategy. Denver moved down in the draft, trading the No. 26 pick for future second-round selections. In a larger five-team deal, they sent Peyton Watson to Cleveland and acquired a 2031 first-round pick and two-way player Julian Reese, who was later waived.
Their draft focused on the second round. They selected Trevon Brazile at No. 35, signing him to a four-year deal, and took Bryce Hopkins at No. 49 on a two-way contract.
Last season ended painfully. As the West's No. 3 seed, they fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round. Injuries to key players like Peyton Watson and Aaron Gordon hurt their chances. The front office faced a tough task with a high payroll and few draft assets.
This offseason was about finding value. Letting rotation players like Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. Walk created space. Bringing in veterans like DeRozan on minimum deals is a classic contender's move. It adds scoring and experience without breaking the bank.
Their recent form shows the core is strong. That 5-0 run to end last season featured big wins, like a 127-107 victory over Oklahoma City on April 11 and a 136-119 win against Memphis two days prior.
It's tight. The Nuggets are operating over the NBA's restrictive second tax apron. Their team salary sits at about $224.8 million against the apron line of $221.7 million. That puts them about $3.2 million over that threshold.
This has real consequences. They cannot use the taxpayer mid-level exception. Several traded player exceptions are frozen. Managing this cap sheet will be a constant challenge for the front office all season long.
To create some flexibility, the team stretched the partial guarantee of waived center Jonas Valanciunas across three seasons.
Integrating the new veterans is job one. DeRozan's mid-range game and Bagley's athleticism must fit alongside Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. The second unit, now featuring Tyus Jones and Lonnie Walker IV, looks much deeper.
The financial pressure won't go away. Being over the second apron limits future trade possibilities and carries severe penalties. Every move from here must be precise.
But the goal is clear. After that early playoff loss, the Nuggets have reloaded with experienced players aiming for another title run. The strong finish to last season, capped by that 128-118 win in San Antonio, provides a solid foundation to build upon.
