The Denver Nuggets might have just made the signing that fans have been wanting for years, bringing in the 6-foot-10, number two pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, Marvin Bagley III. Bagley's going to be great backing up Nikola Jokic, and now that they have their non-Jokic minutes answer for the 2026-27 season (hopefully), the Nuggets can cut loose Jonas Valanciunas and the eight of the $10 million left on his contract so he can go play in Europe. It's the clear next move.
Well, that and getting LeBron James to sign to play alongside Jokic, of course. But right after that, the Nuggets can let Big Val go, which is probably the likely play. They're probably doing their best to find a trade to get something back for Valanciunas, but with all of the rumors of him going back to play in his native Lithuania, it's unlikely the Nuggets will find a suitor.
The Nuggets can save most of the $2 million this season against the cap by "waiving and stretching" Valanciunas's guaranteed portion of his contract over three years, and the $8 million by trading or cutting him by July 8th, 2026.
Marvin Bagley III's athleticism alone will be a big upgrade
Bagley is far more athletic than Valanciunas was, and at 27 years old, still in his prime and developing his game. Bagley can go downhill well for a big man, attacking the rim, and he finishes well, shooting 61.8% from the floor in 2025-26. Bagley averaged 10.5 points and 6.1 rebounds in 20 minutes per game on the season, and he could be an excellent finisher in the dunker spot as well.
Bagley can run the pick and roll, and last season, Bagley developed a three-point shot. He doesn't attempt many, but he made 46.2% of his attempts this season. That ability to stretch the defense on the second unit wasn't an option with Valanciunas.
Bagley's been improving his defense, but the difference in athleticism alone against Valanciunas gives Bagley the clear edge and the Nuggets an instant upgrade behind Jokic. Big Val's defense was putrid at times, and he was eventually replaced in the lineup by the small-ball unit before injuries forced him back in. Countless times, the Nuggets' lead would go to waste when Valanciunas would come on the court.
Plus, Bagley is versatile and quick, and he can back up Aaron Gordon at the power forward as well. Finding Bagley available on the minimum could turn into an incredible value for the Nuggets if he's able to play some decent defense, because the rest of his game is pretty good.
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