Former No. 2 pick adds veteran efficiency and depth behind Jokic and Gordon after productive 2025/26 season in Dallas
The Denver Nuggets have agreed to terms with Marvin Bagley III on a one-year deal, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. 1 rebounds in 60 games during the 2025/26 season. The move addresses a frontcourt reserve unit that had been shaky, giving Denver a reliable option behind Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon.
2% from three-point range. His addition fits Denver’s championship window by providing frontcourt versatility without a long-term commitment. The Nuggets now have Bagley, Zeke Nnaji, and DaRon Holmes competing for minutes alongside Jokic and Gordon, strengthening their depth chart for a deep playoff push.
Bagley’s transformation into a floor-spacer is the critical variable for Denver’s offense. 2% from three-point range forces defenses to extend past the paint, creating driving lanes for the guards and passing windows for Jokic. This spacing capability allows the coaching staff to experiment with lineups that feature two big men without clogging the interior.
It elevates Bagley from a standard energy backup to a specialist who can replicate the gravity of starters, ensuring the offensive flow doesn't stagnate when the second unit takes the floor. The internal battle for minutes will define the Nuggets' training camp. While Zeke Nnaji and DaRon Holmes offer developmental upside, Bagley provides immediate, proven production that a championship contender requires.
Denver is operating in a win-now mode, meaning they cannot afford to rely on potential alone. 2 pick who is still searching for a long-term home, the Nuggets leverage Bagley’s motivation to prove his worth. This creates a high-competition environment where only performance earns playing time, ultimately raising the team's baseline level of play.
Bagley’s career arc serves as a reminder of the volatility inherent in NBA draft evaluations. Once viewed as a cornerstone piece, his path has been defined by the need to find a system that maximizes his physical tools without exposing his limitations. The Denver roster removes the burden of creation, allowing him to operate as a finisher within a structured hierarchy.
This environment is tailor-made for a player looking to rebuild value, as the presence of a superstar like Jokic simplifies the game to its most efficient elements: catch, score, and rebound. Financial flexibility remains the backbone of the Nuggets’ long-term strategy, and this contract adheres strictly to that principle. Avoiding a multi-year commitment allows the front office to maintain maneuverability for future roster moves or trade deadline acquisitions.
It is a calculated risk that costs only short-term capital while offering the potential for a high-reward rotation piece. This approach ensures Denver does not mortgage its future for immediate depth, keeping the books clean for another run at retaining or acquiring top-tier talent alongside their core. Bagley’s veteran presence and positional flexibility make him a low-risk, high-reward pickup for a contender chasing a title.
The Nuggets’ front office prioritized upgrading their reserve bigs, and Bagley’s profile aligns with that need. "Denver’s frontcourt depth was a clear target this offseason," said a league source familiar with the negotiations. Read at Hoops Rumors
Bagley’s arrival shores up Denver’s frontcourt reserves behind Jokic and Gordon, addressing a unit that lacked reliability last season. His efficiency—64.1% FG, 46.2% 3P—makes him a low-risk addition for a contender firmly in a championship window. The one-year deal preserves financial flexibility while adding a veteran who can step into meaningful minutes immediately. This move makes Denver’s bench deeper and more versatile for a deep playoff run, ensuring that the heavy minutes load on Jokic does not lead to burnout as the season progresses.
Hoops Rumorshoopsrumors.comBy Luke AdamsJul 2, 4:26 AMen-US
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