DHJ Quick Take: Marvin Bagley III Agrees to One-Year Deal With Denver Nuggets
Bagley is heading to Denver on a one-year contract after a brief, productive run with the Mavericks. Dallas moved on with an eye toward its crowded frontcourt.
- Why is Bagley leaving Dallas? A crowded frontcourt, with Dereck Lively II still working back from foot surgery and Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington already in place, left him with a clearer path elsewhere.
- Who fills the void at center? Restricted free agent Moussa Cissé, who the Mavericks are expected to re-sign after extending a qualifying offer.
- Why does this matter for the Mavericks? Dallas added its own frontcourt piece the same day, acquiring Santi Aldama from Memphis as a new front office reshapes the roster around Cooper Flagg.
- What’s next? The Mavericks’ reported trade for Marcus Sasser awaits the league’s July 6 moratorium lift before it can be finalized.
DALLAS — Free agent big man Marvin Bagley III has agreed to a one-year contract worth the veteran’s minimum with the Denver Nuggets, Dallas Hoops Journal has learned. As with most agreements reached in this stretch of free agency, the deal remains verbal until the NBA’s moratorium lifts on July 6.
The move ends a brief stay with the Dallas Mavericks for Bagley, who arrived in Dallas as part of the three-team blockbuster on Feb. 5 that sent Anthony Davis to Washington, joining Khris Middleton and AJ Johnson in the return package. Bagley found real minutes down the stretch, appearing in 22 games for the Mavericks and averaging 11 points in 21.4 minutes while connecting on 48.5% of his three-point attempts on modest volume.
Crowded Frontcourt Squeezes Marvin Bagley III’s Path in Dallas
Bagley’s exit had more to do with Dallas’ frontcourt math than his own play. Dereck Lively II remains out for the season following foot surgery, and while the Mavericks say he’s progressed to walking and lifting weights, he has not yet resumed running.
That uncertain timeline, paired with the Mavericks drafting Morez Johnson Jr. while already having Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington holding down frontcourt spots, left little room for Bagley to carve out consistent minutes in 2026-27. Agency representatives said a clearer role elsewhere ultimately drew him to Denver.
Moussa Cissé’s Restricted Free Agency Takes Center Stage
With Bagley gone, Dallas’ center depth chart turns to Moussa Cissé, who remains unsigned as a restricted free agent after the Mavericks extended him a qualifying offer Monday. Cissé averaged 4.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 38 games as an undrafted rookie last season, shooting 57.4% from the field.
The qualifying offer gives Dallas the right to match any contract Cissé receives elsewhere, and the expectation internally is that he returns on a longer standard deal.
Santi Aldama Arrives as Marvin Bagley III Departs
Bagley’s departure landed the same day Dallas made its own frontcourt addition. The Mavericks acquired Santi Aldama from the Memphis Grizzlies Wednesday, sending AJ Johnson, a top-20 protected 2030 first-round pick and two future second-round picks to Memphis in return.
Aldama averaged 14.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists on 47.9% shooting in 43 games before a season-ending knee procedure in March, and he’s expected to be healthy for training camp.
The trade is the latest move by the Mavericks front office amid a full reset. Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz took over as president of basketball operations and general manager this offseason, and the two hired Dusty May as head coach, with all three introduced at a press conference Monday. Dallas also used its two first-round picks on Morez Johnson Jr. at No. 9 and, via trade, Sergio De Larrea at No. 25 in last month’s draft.
A reported deal sending Detroit guard Marcus Sasser to Dallas is also in place but cannot be finalized until the July 6 moratorium lifts.
More Mavericks Coverage on Dallas Hoops Journal
- Sources: Dallas Mavericks Agree To Trade For Santi Aldama From Memphis Grizzlies
- Sources: Dallas Mavericks Extend Qualifying Offer To Moussa Cissé
- Dusty May Calls Dallas Mavericks Move ‘Almost Too Big Of A Dream,’ Centers Vision On Cooper Flagg
- Sources: Dallas Mavericks Exercising Ryan Nembhard’s Team Option
- Dallas Mavericks Have Discussed A Kawhi Leonard Trade With The LA Clippers
- ‘Don’t Forget Who I Am’: Dallas Mavericks Center Dereck Lively II Won’t Rush Return From Foot Surgery
- Morez Johnson Jr. Embraces ‘Junkyard Dog’ Role With Dallas Mavericks
- Dallas Mavericks Still Working Through Sergio De Larrea’s Arrival Plan
- Dallas Mavericks Move Up, Acquire Sergio De Larrea In Draft-Night Trade With New York Knicks
- Morez Johnson Jr. ‘Insanely Shocked’ By Dusty May’s Dallas Mavericks Move
- ‘It’s Insane That I’m Actually Going To Dallas’: Morez Johnson Jr. Reacts To Mavericks Selection At No. 9
- ‘One Of The Most Fascinating Coaches’: Masai Ujiri Breaks Down Dallas Mavericks’ Dusty May Hire
