Nuggets adding veteran big man on two-year contract

Denver will use its $5.2M taxpayer mid-level exception and will become hard-capped at the $188.9M second apron, according to Yossi Gozlan of HoopsHype. The Nuggets are currently $12.6M below the apron with 12 players under contract. They will be limited to minimum signings to fill out the roster.

Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports revealed last week that Denver had ongoing interest in signing Saric. He reportedly also had an opportunity to join Panathinaikos in Greece if he didn’t receive an NBA offer to his liking.

Saric earned $2.7M last season with the Warriors on a one-year, veteran’s minimum contract. He appeared in 64 games, making nine starts, and averaged 8.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 17.2 minutes per night.

He’ll likely fill a similar role with the Nuggets, who have been looking to add some experience to their roster after suffering significant free agent losses since winning the 2023 championship. His signing may also clear the way for a trade of forward/center Zeke Nnaji, who is reportedly being made available. Nnaji saw limited playing time last season and his four-year, $32M contract extension will begin with the 2024-25 season.

Saric, 30, was selected with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2014 draft. Before coming to Golden State, he spent time with Philadelphia, Minnesota, Phoenix and Oklahoma City.