The Denver Nuggets have waived veteran center Jonas Valanciunas, a move that saves the franchise $8 million and clears the way for Marvin Bagley III to step into the backup center role behind Nikola Jokic. The Nuggets’ 2026-07 season opener is still months away, but this roster decision signals Denver’s confidence in Bagley as Jokic’s primary backup.
What happened?
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported the Nuggets’ waiver on Wednesday, July 16. Valanciunas’s $10 million contract for 2026-27 was only partially guaranteed at $2 million before July 8, so waiving him now erases the remaining $8 million cap hit. The Nuggets finished their 2025-26 campaign with a 2-3 record over their last five games, including a 110-98 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on May 1, 2026. Denver’s front office now turns to Bagley, who signed a one-year free-agent deal earlier this month.
Valanciunas averaged 8.7 points and 5.1 rebounds in 13.4 minutes per game during his lone season in Denver. Those numbers marked career lows for the 34-year-old big man, who had never dipped below double figures in scoring since his rookie year with the Toronto Raptors in 2011-12. Before joining the Nuggets, Valanciunas had averaged 12.8 points and nine rebounds across 14 NBA seasons with six different teams.
Why it matters for the Denver Nuggets
Waiving Valanciunas isn’t just a financial move-it’s a roster reset. The Nuggets now have a clearer path to develop Bagley, a 25-year-old forward with athleticism and defensive potential, as Jokic’s direct backup. Denver’s front office values positional flexibility, and Bagley’s ability to guard the paint and switch onto wings fits their scheme. The Nuggets also avoid the risk of carrying an underperforming veteran on a long-term deal.
The timing aligns with Denver’s rebuild mindset. After a disappointing finish to 2025-26, the Nuggets are reshaping their depth chart without sacrificing Jokic’s workload. The move also frees up minutes for younger bigs like Zeke Nnaji or Peyton Watson, who can grow alongside Jokic rather than compete for limited backup reps.
What comes next?
Valanciunas is expected to draw free-agent interest from multiple NBA teams, with Lithuanian EuroLeague side Zalgiris Kaunas also monitoring his market. His next destination could hinge on whether he lands a minimum-salary deal or a two-way contract. For the Nuggets, the focus shifts to Bagley’s development and the rest of the summer’s free-agency period.
Denver’s roster now includes Jokic, Bagley, and a mix of young wings and guards. The Nuggets’ next step is to add depth behind their star big man while keeping their core intact. With training camp still weeks away, the front office has time to evaluate Bagley’s progress in camp and the preseason.
Last result: Minnesota Timberwolves 110-98 Denver Nuggets (2026-05-01). Recent form (last 5): 2W-0D-3L (LLWWL, most recent first); lost the last 2.
