The Denver Nuggets are finally on the board to start the free agency season, and the newest addition to the team, Marvin Bagley III, checks off a lot of boxes that the Nuggets needed filled, and should be a solid backup center to Nikola Jokic. Or at least, that's the hope, like every season.
Free agent center Marvin Bagley III has agreed to a one-year deal with the Denver Nuggets, sources tell ESPN. A critical frontcourt addition for the Nuggets. pic.twitter.com/enHBVxgfYl
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 2, 2026
ESPN's Shams Charania delivered the late-night news that the Nuggets were signing Bagley to a one-year deal. Bagley will now be the next in line to try to fill in for Jokic when he takes a breather at the top of the second and fourth quarters, and this time, the Nuggets may have found a real solution.
Last season, the Nuggets went with Jonas Valanciunas, who's great offensively, but he was terrible on defense, and the lead Jokic would stake the Nuggets to would often evaporate when Big Val and the second unit hit the floor.
Now, the Nuggets will have a 6-foot-10, 27-year-old, and former second pick of the 2018 NBA Draft, who is improving defensively, coming off the bench in what will likely be a meaningful role.
The Nuggets found a very solid bargain buy
The free agency pool for the Nuggets to choose from at a league minimum wasn't going to be very big. Landing Bagley is a big get and a better-than-expected outcome for backup center.
Bagley, in his 8th year in the league, averaged 10.5 points and 6.1 rebounds while shooting 61.8% from the floor playing 20 minutes per game for both the Washington Wizards and Dallas Mavericks last season. Those are excellent backup big numbers.
But it's the athleticism, the ability to play both power forward and center, and Bagley's improving defense as his career has progressed that make him an attractive option for the Nuggets off the bench. Bagley's going to be a good fit for the Nuggets in the dunker spot, and his athleticism will allow him to catch some lobs for the easy points.
Hopefully, Bagley is the start of the Klutch Sports avalanche
Bagley is now the first to join the Nuggets this offseason, and he's represented by Klutch Sports, the same firm that represents LeBron James and Peyton Watson. Could this be the first trickle before a coming avalanche of Klutch Sports signings? I sure hope so.
The Nuggets would greatly improve by adding LeBron James in free agency, and getting him at a minimum contract price seems like a crazy dream, but it's a reality that is currently on the table for the Nuggets. Hopefully, Bagley is just the first of the three to sign on the dotted line.
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