The Denver Nuggets don't have much cap space to work with heading into the 2026-27 season without making drastic moves to avoid the NBA's second apron penalties. But let's say they flirt with that line and stay in the first apron and over the luxury tax threshold. They'll still have a couple of roster spots to fill in free agency. They're just going to have to fill them on a budget, and they should have Dean Wade, Marcus Smart, and Matisse Thybulle on their radar.
They may not be starting-caliber players, but they're more than capable fill-ins, and that's exactly what a team with the injury bug, like the Nuggets, needs. And they check off boxes that could help the Nuggets next year.
Dean Wade
Wade would be a nice fit for the Nuggets because he's a good perimeter defender, can switch well, and can survive in the paint. He isn't going to score many points or get many steals. That isn't his game. He's going to play tough defense and knock down an open three here or there.
The Nuggets could have used either of those against the Minnesota Timberwolves in their first-round playoff exit. Wade shot 36.2% from three, and paired with Nikola Jokic on the court, that number could easily hit the 39.1% Wade connected on from three in 2023-24.
Marcus Smart
Smart's got a player option for the Lakers, but if he doesn't return to LA, the Nuggets definitely need to have the former Defensive Player of the Year on their radar. Smart will be entering his 13th season, coming off a year in which he averaged just 9.3 points for the Lakers.
But it's the experience and pressure defense that the Nuggets would want from Smart. He makes more sense than Bruce Brown if the Nuggets can afford it. Brown wasn't the answer, and Smart would be an instant upgrade defensively in that spot.
Matisse Thybulle
Thybulle has battled injury problems the past two years, playing in just 45 total games. But that could keep the 3-and-D wing on the cheaper side heading into free agency. Sure, it would be a gamble for the Nuggets. But Thybulle was drafted 20th overall in 2019 for his defense, and when he's healthy, he's very solid.
Thybulle isn't a traditional stopper on defense. His style of play is to apply pressure in passing lanes to force steals for himself and others. He averaged 2.0 and 2.2 steals for the Portland Trail Blazers the past two seasons. Offensively, Thybulle knocked down threes at 43.8% and 39.8% marks the last two years, showing a nice fit into the Nuggets system.
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