The Nuggets have more moves to make.
The Denver Nuggets have made another move this offseason, but it's another move of subtraction, rather than addition.
Per a report from ESPN's Shams Charania, the Nuggets are waiving backup center Jonas Valanciunas after just one season in Denver, adding some more financial flexibility to the Nuggets payroll to prepare for other potential moves, but also creating a need for a new backup big behind star Nikola Jokic.
Valanciunas is said to draw significant interest from other teams in the NBA and should he be picked up by another team, then the Nuggets would be off the hook for the roughly $10 million that Valanciunas will be owed for the upcoming season, though they would still be responsibly for paying Valanciunas $2 million in salary.
What Does Waiving Valanciunas Achieve?
By doing this, the Nuggets will have freed up even more money that can be put toward other free agent contracts, notably Peyton Watson, whom the Nuggets have seemingly been at a standstill with in terms of contract negotiations.
Having more financial flexibility will be huge for the Nuggets and could now spur them into action after what has been a fairly passive offseason at this point. Without Valanciunas though, the Nuggets do need to address their roster depth in terms of big men that has grown increasingly thin.
Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas (17) reacts to a foul in the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves during game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Ron Chenoy-Imagn ImagesWithout Valanciunas as the second option at center, the Nuggets at this point have to turn to Marvin Bagley III and Zeke Nnaji as their next best options to support Jokic, who himself was sidelined by injuries at times.
What Will the Nuggets Do Now?
That question of depth remains at this point unanswered, but for now the Nuggets are freed up to be even more competitive in their pursuit of Watson, whose potential contract has reported to reach the heights of $30 million per year.
Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas (17) looks to pass against San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) and guard DeAaron Fox (4) during the second half at Frost Bank Center. Scott Wachter-Imagn ImagesWith how inactive the Nuggets' offseason has been up to his point, it's become increasingly necessary that the Nuggets will have to make a more aggressive pursuit of the remaining free agents on the market in order to address their roster needs because otherwise, Denver will have not just stood still during the offseason, but let the team be depleted of critical positions instead.
By waiving Valanciunas, the Nuggets have put themselves even more into a position to act and act quickly to try and upgrade their roster in time for next season, but time is of the essence for them and it's time for them to use their position to act and make the sacrifices and moves that they've made worth it.
