The Denver Nuggets need bargain, minimum-level contracts to round out the roster while they're perilously close to the NBA's second apron tax threshold. They need to look no further than Sacramento Kings free-agent forward/center Precious Achiuwa, probably one of the top defensive options the Nuggets could find for the value. He could be in the Nuggets' price range as long as a bidding war doesn't break out when the market opens up.
Achiuwa was signed and then waived before the 2025-26 season started by the Miami Heat. He then found a spot with the Kings on a one-year minimum contract and had a really nice season, especially for the value.
Achiuwa would be a good option for the Nuggets at backup center
Achiuwa started 57 games for the Kings, but the Nuggets would only need him to fill the backup center role when Nikola Jokic hits the bench for a breather. Achiuwa could be a fine backup in those minutes thanks to his stellar defense, and he would fit better than Spencer Jones as the anchor of the small-ball unit from that standpoint.
Achiuwa has never played more minutes per game than he did for the Kings last year, averaging 23.9 minutes per contest. In those 23.9 minutes, Achiuwa averaged 10.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 0.7 blocks. The defensive numbers aren't eye-catching, but on a per-36 minutes basis, it comes out to 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks. Those are solid numbers any fan would be happy with from a starting big.
One nice strength of Achiuwa is his ability to switch on screens and guard across size thanks to his quickness and athleticism. The Nuggets were often slow to rotate to the open shooter during the season, and he would be good at helping close out those gaps.
Achiuwa, of course, has a drawback
There's a reason Achiuwa is on a minimum contract. He lacks offensive upside in his game, and he just doesn't shoot the ball very well. He shot just 55.4% from the free-throw line and only 27.8% from three.
But he knows his role, and he isn't going to put up a bunch of volume shots. At least he's a good finisher around the rim, and it brought his average from the floor up to 52.8%.
Achiuwa, at his value, would be a great signing for the Nuggets as a backup center or power forward. The Nuggets should swoop in and pluck him from the Kings and add him to the rotation next season.
Add us as a preferred source on Google