Although Dario Saric‘s first year with the Nuggets has been disappointing, multiple sources tell Bennett Durando of The Denver Post that he plans to exercise his $5.4MM player option for next season.
The option was included in a two-year, $10.6MM contract that Saric signed last summer. Durando notes that he chose Denver over an offer from EuroLeague champ Panathinaikos, and the Nuggets were willing to give him their full taxpayer mid-level exception to add an experienced big man who could help reduce the workload for Nikola Jokic.
It hasn’t worked out that way, as Saric has only appeared in 16 games and is averaging 3.5 points and 3.1 rebounds in 13.1 minutes per night. Durando points out that even as coach Michael Malone rested more than half of his roster for Wednesday’s back-to-back, Saric was only given seven minutes.
Durando adds that Saric looks like a misfire for general manager Calvin Booth, who can’t afford to waste any money given the team’s precarious financial state. Saric will have the team’s sixth-highest salary for 2025/26 if he exercises the option.
Durando states that the Nuggets would benefit financially for next season if Saric declines the option. They would have three roster spots to fill and would be about $13MM below the second apron. He adds that they don’t have many assets left for another salary dump after giving up three second-round picks to send Reggie Jackson to Charlotte last summer.
There have been recent reports that Saric has been contacted by several overseas teams hoping to sign him for next season. While Saric didn’t deny that, he made it clear that he hasn’t reached a decision, according to Durando.
“I didn’t sign a contract with nobody. Obviously, I still have a contract with Denver at the end of this season, my option for next year,” Saric said. “So you know, me and my family didn’t decide yet. I’m still kind of going through this season, and when the season is done, I’m going to see with my family what’s the best thing, what’s the best choice for me. … I really don’t (know) myself what’s the right choice for me in this moment.”
Good for you Dario but we know they all treat you bad
Brown left and they said Braun will replace him. Then they let KCP walked and they said Braun will replace him. Yes the Nuggets are cheap
Braun did turn out to better than either along with being a hell of a lot cheaper. He can’t replace both though. Watson and Strawther need to step up. Watson has shown flashes though, I expect him to break out a bit next season.
I mean Braun has improved a lot. More than I thought he would honestly but I believe letting KCP walk was a horrible decision. They could have resigned him and turned Braun into a super sixth man but he wouldn’t have improved like this. Braun is also younger than all the other starters. I like Watson and Strawther. Booth and staff have drafted great tbh but letting everyone go just because you won one is not good. KCP was an great defender at the SG spot but he took a dive in Orlando and if anyone remembers I said KCP wouldn’t last in Orlando for more than one year. I posted it along time ago
Watson should be starting over Gordon. I know Gordon was a big part of them winning the championship in 2023 but he’s not the same player and doesn’t have the same impact anymore.
DaRon Holmes getting hurt didn’t help things either.
Nuggets are showing the free agents for next year WHERE NOT TO GO !!
Idk GS signed Dario and turned him into a undersized no defence C for some dumb reason and now everyone plays him like that. All 30 teams play the same offense and defense… Oh my 6’8 Undersized C is guarding a PG again. Switch switch…no good man to man defense anymore. They are incapable of it in this era
By not playing a mediocre player who’s been in on 6 teams in like 8 seasons? lol