Overview

• Denver traded forward Dario Saric, who averaged 3.5 points and 3.1 rebounds in 16 games last season, to Sacramento.
• The Nuggets acquired 6-foot-11 center Jonas Valanciunas, who posted 8.7 points and 7 rebounds over 32 games, to serve as Nikola Jokic’s primary backup.
• Valanciunas is under contract for $10.4 million in 2025-26 and $10 million in 2026-27, while Saric opted into a $5.4 million player option for 2025-26.
• The swap addresses Denver’s need for frontcourt depth and better aligns its salary commitments for the next two seasons.
• Sacramento adds a veteran big man on a one-year deal expiring after 2025-26 to bolster its bench rotation.