The Denver Nuggets needed to upgrade defense this offseason, and they just found it by thinking outside the box and looking across the pond to sign the EuroLeague Defensive Player of the Year, Alpha Diallo. He wasn't on the radar until just a few days ago, and now he's a Denver Nugget.
EuroLeague Defender of the Year Alpha Diallo has agreed to a one-year, $1.4 million deal to sign with the Denver Nuggets, agents Jared Mucha and Javon Phillips of Excel Sports Management tell ESPN. The former Providence standout and Euro star makes the NBA jump at 29 years old on… pic.twitter.com/aaN5t7AIFi
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 12, 2026
ESPN's Shams Charania reports that the Nuggets were able to sign Diallo to a one-year, $1.4 million contract, which could turn into a huge bargain if Diallo is able to replicate the same defense he applied in the EuroLeague to the Nuggets. Diallo was the top forward in the EuroLeague in fewest points allowed per possession in 2025-26, and he produced 1.3 steals per game.
News of Diallo popping up on the Nuggets' radar happened just a few days ago, and was first reported by BasketNews' Donatas Urbonas. That paper trail played out, and the Nuggets secured a player in Diallo who very well may be the absolute best defensive option left on the board.
Diallo should be a great fit for the Nuggets, especially for the price
The Nuggets just got the defensive stopper on the perimeter that they didn't have last year. Diallo excels at on-ball defense and man-to-man. He covers the switch exceptionally well, and he's quick and has a high motor. He'll instantly be better than what the Nuggets received defensively from Tim Hardaway and Bruce Brown, and he may not be too bad on the offensive end of the floor either.
Diallo is a career 51% shooter from the floor and 36.8% from three-point range. He could be a sneaky-good option for points, and he may have a decent chance to hit the 11.0 career points-per-game he has averaged over six seasons in Europe, the last five with AS Monaco in the EuroLeague.
But that's not the focus. It's the defense, and Diallo's signing is a very welcome sight for Nuggets fans. That they are finding players like Diallo truly shows the Nuggets are doing what they can to find an upgrade, even if they have to find the most bargain option available. And search far and wide to do it.
The Nuggets are clearly trying to upgrade defense
Diallo should go great next to Marvin Bagley III, the Nuggets' other free agent signing, who should also be a defensive upgrade for the Nuggets. Bagley isn't the defensive answer by himself, but he's been improving year after year, and he'll be better than Jonas Valanciunas was last year backing up Nikola Jokic.
It's great to see the Nuggets making some big efforts at the fringes of the roster construction to think outside the box to make the requisite upgrades they need for 2026-27. Finding and signing Diallo could be a game-changer next year. Let's hope for another.
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