Denver Nuggets adjust roster with Valanciunas stretch and Hopkins signing

The Denver Nuggets are implementing several roster and salary cap adjustments ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season. The team will utilize the stretch provision on the $2 million cap charge remaining from Jonas Valanciunas’ contract. Valanciunas, who was waived by Denver and has since signed with Zalgiris Kaunas in Lithuania, will have his remaining cap hit spread across three seasons. This move is expected to reduce the Nuggets’ 2026/27 team salary by $1.33 million and significantly lower their projected tax bill from approximately $84.3 million to $75.3 million.

Additionally, the Nuggets have signed rookie Bryce Hopkins to a two-way contract. Hopkins, the 49th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and a former standout at Providence and St. John’s, joins Trevon Brazile as one of the team's two two-way players. The signing helps Denver move closer to completing its roster for the upcoming season.