About a week ago, Denver Nuggets executive Jonathan Wallace mentioned that the team was more prepared than it seemed. They intended to be strategic in the offseason, focusing on reinforcing a roster already packed with top-tier talent and a strong starting five. Wallace noted that their plan was to add players who could ease the workload for the stars by giving them rest.
Within a day of acquiring free agent Agnessy, Denver made a significant trade, sending Michael Porter Jr. and their unprotected 2032 first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets for Cam Johnson. They bolstered their bench with three experienced players: Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Jonas Valančiunas.
Bruce Brown, 28, played an essential role in Denver’s 2023 championship run but left that offseason for a two-year, $45 million deal with the Indiana Pacers. According to The Athletic, he has now signed at a minimum salary, and the Nuggets are confident about how well he will integrate. Brown’s familiarity with Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic, along with his energetic and versatile defense, made a difference in the playoffs by guarding tough opponents and bigger players.
Tim Hardaway Jr., 33, also signed a minimum contract, as reported by the Denver Post. While not as strong defensively as Brown, Hardaway addresses a critical team need—shooting. Wallace had previously emphasized the desire to improve shooting, a weakness highlighted when the Oklahoma City Thunder challenged Denver’s role players to hit three-pointers during the playoffs. Despite shooting just 31.5% from beyond the arc in a seven-game championship series, Denver prevailed. Hardaway’s three-point shooting has varied over the years, averaging 37.4% over the last six seasons with highs and lows, but he consistently takes shots without hesitation. Last season, he attempted fewer three-pointers than usual, marking his lowest frequency since 2016-17.
Alongside Johnson and Brown, Hardaway will share court time with Jokic, while the 33-year-old Valančiunas is expected to provide solid minutes as a backup big man. He is an upgrade over Dario Saric, who the Nuggets traded away for Valančiunas. Fans can look forward to seeing him dominate on offensive rebounds and defend backup bigs. If Dalen Holloway Jr., who missed last season due to injury, returns ready for rotation minutes, Valančiunas might become an extra asset—a good problem for the team to have.
Currently, Denver is slightly above the luxury tax threshold with 14 players under contract, according to PAR CAPSHEETS.COM. The trade involving Porter and Johnson created a $16.8 million trade exception, keeping open the possibility of further transactions. Nuggets’ front office has effectively restructured to avoid salary cap issues, a task they could not accomplish last summer.
Fan Take: This flurry of expert moves by the Nuggets signals their determination to maintain championship-level depth and versatility, showing how front offices must be both strategic and bold in today’s NBA. Basketball fans should watch how these additions impact team chemistry and performance, as it could set a new standard for roster management in the sport.
