Nuggets unlikely to add 10-day center

Even with their frontcourt stretched thin by multi-week absences to Nikola Jokic and Jonas Valanciunas because of calf issues, the Denver Nuggets are not expected to pursue a short-term center on a 10-day contract.

According to reporting from Tony Jones Durando, the organization’s financial position makes that option unrealistic.

Team and league insiders indicate the Nuggets are entering the trade deadline with two clear priorities in mind: trimming just enough salary to slip under the luxury-tax line – they currently sit roughly $400,000 above it – and converting Spencer Jones from his two-way status into a full NBA contract.

Those goals appear to outweigh any urgency to add temporary depth at center.

Fourth-year forward Peyton Watson has been boosting his value ahead of restricted free agency in the summer and it will be tricky for the Nuggets to match a potential offer sheet. That + more notes on the Nuggets. https://t.co/q38Kscgaad

— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) January 10, 2026