DENVER — Facing the looming threat of the NBA’s second apron and its restrictive penalties, the Denver Nuggets are turning to shrewd, low-profile moves that could save millions in cap space and provide vital flexibility heading into the 2026-27 season.
While the franchise’s financial outlook remains challenging—with a projected payroll of $216.8 million before filling out the roster—the team has identified two straightforward cost-cutting opportunities that amount to an effective “spare change” strategy. These moves, though modest on their own, could help the Nuggets stay just below the second apron threshold, projected at $222 million, and avoid the severe roster-building limitations that come with crossing it.
Jalen Pickett’s team option: A no-brainer savings play
One of the easiest decisions sits with young guard Jalen Pickett. According to Bennett Durando of The Denver Post, the Nuggets should exercise Pickett’s fourth-year team option at $2.41 million. That figure is approximately $40,000 below the projected veteran minimum cap hit.
“Another easy penny-pinching move is to pick up Jalen Pickett’s fourth-year team option. His $2.41 million salary is about $40,000 cheaper than the projected veteran minimum cap hit. Cha-ching,” Durando noted.
For a team already pressing against the luxury tax lines, retaining Pickett at this rate represents pure value. The former guard is expected to return in a similar bench role, providing depth without inflating the payroll. In a league where every dollar counts under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, this move is an obvious win for Denver’s front office.
Jonas Valanciunas cut looms as $8 million relief
The second straightforward decision involves center Jonas Valanciunas. His contract for next season carries a $10 million total salary, but only $2 million is guaranteed. If the Nuggets waive him by July 8, they stand to save $8 million in cap space—an enormous swing for what amounts to a roster trimming decision.
Valanciunas, acquired mid-season, provided some veteran presence but struggled to find consistent footing. He was a defensive liability at times and briefly played his way out of the rotation in March before injuries forced him back into the mix. His playoff role was minimal: he appeared in just six games against the Minnesota Timberwolves, logging only 25 total minutes and failing to see the court in Games 3 and 4.
Big Val has almost certainly played his last game as a Nugget. Cutting him represents another clear penny-pinching move that aligns with both financial reality and on-court performance.
Strategic breathing room in a high-stakes offseason
These two decisions alone won’t solve all of Denver’s challenges, but they offer critical breathing room. The Nuggets still must address Peyton Watson’s restricted free agency, fill at least three additional roster spots, and navigate the broader question of roster construction under apron constraints.
More difficult conversations lie ahead. Trade rumors have already surfaced around players like Jamal Murray as the organization explores every avenue to optimize the roster around Nikola Jokic. Yet by handling the easy calls first—locking in Pickett and parting ways with Valanciunas—the Nuggets demonstrate a disciplined approach to dodging the “death sentence” of the second apron.
In today’s NBA, where the difference between contention and mediocrity often comes down to cap management, these seemingly small maneuvers could prove pivotal. What looks like “spare change” on paper may ultimately help keep the Nuggets competitive at the highest level for years to come.