It was widely expected that the Denver Nuggets would waive and salary-dump Jonas Valanciunas this offseason to get out from under $8 million of the $10 million he was owed in 2026-27. They did, and the 14-year veteran from Lithuania returned home to play for Zalgiris Kaunas in the EuroLeague. But the Nuggets' latest move involving the remaining $2 million that was guaranteed on his contract has given them an additional option to explore to get back under the NBA's second-apron penalty threshold. And it could put Julian Strawther's time in Denver on the clock.
The Denver Nuggets are stretching Jonas Valanciunas’ remaining $2 million salary owed for the 2026-27 season, league sources told @hoopshype. As a result, Valanciunas will be on Denver’s books for $667K each of the following three seasons. https://t.co/2iecHUiwKy
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) August 27, 2026
The Nuggets announced today that instead of eating the full $2 million against the salary cap this season, they have "stretched" that out over the next three seasons, for $667k per season. While it doesn't seem like a big move, the additional $1.3 million in cap savings puts the Nuggets at only $3.15 million over the second apron threshold. And Strawther is on the books for $4.8 million this season.
The Nuggets should explore Strawther trade options
The Nuggets are still the only team operating over the second apron. The other 29 teams have been treating the line as a hard salary cap. The Nuggets are definitely going to be making another move to get back under the threshold. But instead of sacrificing draft capital to attach to a Zeke Nnaji dump -- and they may have to attach more than anyone is comfortable with -- the Nuggets should instead explore the option of trading Strawther.
Strawther, the former 29th overall pick of the 2023 NBA Draft, likely has a lot more value than Nnaji. For one, he's on an expiring contract (as long as the Nuggets don't extend him early). Nnaji has two years left. And two, he's been more of a member of the rotation than Nnaji has, and his offensive upside is enough for some team to take a gamble on him.
Those reasons alone may entice another team to just absorb Strawther's remaining contract. Or, if the Nuggets get lucky, someone gives them a future second-round pick in return if Strawther has a good start to the season.
The Nuggets could then have enough space under the second apron to either elevate the newly signed two-way rookie Bryce Hopkins to fill Strawther's roster spot or the Nuggets could wait and sign someone off the buyout market later in the season to reduce the amount of salary owed, like they did last year with Tyus Jones. It depends on the timing of the trade, but it could absolutely work.
Stretching the guaranteed money owed to Valanciunas seems like a small move, but it gave the Nuggets an added piece of flexibility. They'll need all of the flexibility possible to keep navigating their way back under the second apron without trading one of their starters.
Add us as a preferred source on Google