Former Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried officially signed a one-year contract with Spanish club Kosner Baskonia on Tuesday. The 36-year-old, who played seven of his eight NBA seasons in Denver, joins the EuroLeague side to add experience and physicality to their frontcourt for the 2026-27 campaign. This move comes as his old team, the Nuggets, are navigating a tough stretch with a recent form of 1 win and 4 losses in their last five games, including a 110-98 defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves on May 1, 2026.
What does Kenneth Faried's move to Spain mean?
Kosner Baskonia announced the signing in an official press release, welcoming the 6'9" American center. The club highlighted his extensive resume, which includes over 450 NBA games and a gold medal with Team USA at the 2014 FIBA World Cup. They stated Faried arrives in Vitoria-Gasteiz as a valuable addition to bolster their paint presence.
Spanish journalist Chema de Lucas first reported the news on Monday, calling Faried the "EuroLeague MVP for November" in a tweet that preceded the club's confirmation. After leaving the NBA following the 2018-19 season, Faried's career has taken him across the globe. He has played in China, Puerto Rico, Russia, Mexico, Italy, Taiwan, and Greece.
His most recent stops were with Panathinaikos in Europe and Cangrejeros de Santurce in Puerto Rico's Baloncesto Superior Nacional. Faried's NBA career was defined by his high-energy play and rebounding prowess during his time with the Nuggets, where he averaged 11.4 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.
How does this connect to the current Denver Nuggets?
While Faried begins a new chapter overseas, the Denver Nuggets he once played for are in a different phase. The team's current struggles are reflected in their recent form of 1W-4L. Their last result was a 110-98 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on May 1, 2026. Fans tracking the team's progress can view updated performance data on our [stats](/stats) page.
The connection is largely historical, but Faried remains a memorable figure from a prior era of Nuggets basketball. His signing news offers a contrast between a franchise legend finding a new home and the current squad working to regain its footing. The Nuggets' front office is likely focused on their own roster construction as they look to improve from their recent skid.
What was Kenneth Faried's NBA career like?
Kenneth Faried was selected 22nd overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 2011 NBA Draft. He quickly earned the nickname "The Manimal" for his relentless hustle and athletic finishes around the rim. His best season came in 2013-14 when he posted averages of 13.7 points and 8.6 rebounds per game.
He spent seven seasons in Denver before brief stints with the Brooklyn Nets and Houston Rockets. His final NBA season was 2018-19. Throughout his 478-game NBA career, Faried compiled totals of 5,445 points and 3,843 rebounds. He was known for his defensive effort and ability to crash the offensive glass.
His departure from the NBA did not mean the end of his competitive career. Instead, it launched a globe-trotting journey that has now landed him in Spain's top league. For Baskonia, they get a player with proven experience at the highest level who can mentor younger players and provide immediate interior depth.
What comes next for Faried and the Nuggets?
For Kenneth Faried, the immediate future involves integrating into Kosner Baskonia's system ahead of the 2026-27 EuroLeague and Liga ACB seasons. His role will be to use his NBA-honed skills to help the club compete on multiple fronts. The one-year deal suggests both sides are viewing this as a trial period.
For the Denver Nuggets, the path forward is about addressing their on-court results. The 110-98 loss to Minnesota is part of a concerning pattern they need to break. The team's management will be analyzing their [squad](/squad) and [injuries](/injuries) situation to plot a course back to winning ways. While Faried's story is one of continued professional pursuit, the Nuggets' narrative is firmly about present-day challenges and solutions.
