Nikola Jokić Gets Boost as Nuggets Sign Marvin Bagley III
Nikola Jokić is set to receive a boost as the Denver Nuggets have agreed to a one-year deal with former No. 2 pick Marvin Bagley III. The move aims to strengthen their bench after a disappointing season.
The Nuggets finished a highly disappointing season, losing in the first round of the NBA playoffs to the Minnesota Timberwolves. They have failed to reach the Western Conference finals since winning the NBA championship in 2023.
Marvin Bagley III will augment their frontcourt behind three-time MVP Nikola Jokić. Bagley, who is 6-foot-10 and 235 pounds, is mostly a center, although he has logged some minutes at the four spot during his eight seasons in the league.
The addition of Bagley gives Nuggets coach David Adelman another option at the backup five spot other than Jonas Valančiūnas, who is more of a lumbering big man. This could open up the possibility of trading Jonas Valančiūnas, who played 13.4 minutes per game during the regular season but was on the court for just 6.3 minutes a night during the 2026 playoffs.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Nuggets have agreed to a one-year contract with big man Marvin Bagley III. Charania wrote on X that Bagley is a critical frontcourt addition for the Nuggets.
The Nuggets still face big decisions, including deciding whether to invest in keeping restricted free agent Peyton Watson or to let him go and stick with starters Cameron Johnson and Christian Braun. They’re also trying to secure a long-term contract with Nikola Jokić, whose current deal runs through 2028.
Bagley has career averages of 11.8 points and 6.5 rebounds in 22.0 minutes per game, and this past season, he averaged 10.5 points and 6.1 boards in 20.0 minutes a night. The No. 2 pick in the 2018 draft, Bagley isn’t a shot-blocker, but he is fairly athletic and quick, and he has a nice offensive touch near the basket.
The Nuggets may not be far away from becoming a championship contender again, but they have quite a bit of work to do. With the addition of Marvin Bagley III, they are taking a step in the right direction to strengthen their bench and support Nikola Jokić