Denver Nuggets Sign Alpha Diallo To A 1-Year, $1.4M Deal
The Denver Nuggets have found one of the biggest international bargains of NBA free agency. According to reports, Denver has signed reigning EuroLeague Best Defender Alpha Diallo to a one-year, $1.4 million guaranteed contract, bringing one of Europe’s premier perimeter defenders to the NBA.
HoopsHype analyst Cyro Asseo breaks down why the Nuggets targeted Diallo, what makes him one of the best defenders outside the NBA, and how he could immediately impact Denver’s championship aspirations.
Diallo arrives after winning the 2025-26 EuroLeague Best Defender Award, voted on by the league’s head coaches. During his fifth season with AS Monaco, the 6-foot-7 forward averaged 11.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and a league-leading 1.4 steals while establishing himself as arguably Europe’s top perimeter stopper.
Cyro dives into the advanced defensive metrics that made Diallo so coveted. Synergy Sports graded him as excellent in overall defensive possessions, man-to-man defense, and pressing situations. He led all EuroLeague forwards by allowing just 0.844 points per possession overall and ranked among the league’s best pick-and-roll defenders at only 0.706 points per possession. His combination of size, strength, lateral quickness, and basketball IQ allows him to defend virtually every position on the floor.
Offensively, Diallo provides efficient complementary production. Throughout his professional career, he has shot 51% from the field, 37% from three, and 74% from the free-throw line, making him an ideal low-usage wing capable of spacing the floor around Nikola Jokić.
The video also examines why Denver prioritized adding another defensive wing as uncertainty continues surrounding restricted free agent Peyton Watson. With the Nuggets reportedly exploring sign-and-trade scenarios involving Watson, Diallo could immediately compete for rotation minutes alongside Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Cameron Johnson, Aaron Gordon, Nikola Jokić, Tyus Jones, Jonas Valančiūnas, and Marvin Bagley III.
Cyro also highlights Diallo’s unique connection to Colorado. Before starring in Europe, he attended Denver West High School, making this a homecoming of sorts as he returns to the city where his American basketball journey began.
Can Alpha Diallo become the next EuroLeague star to thrive in the NBA? Is this one of free agency’s biggest steals? And could he provide the defensive boost Denver needs to return to championship contention?
Catch the full breakdown and stay locked in for more NBA free agency, international basketball, trade rumors, offseason coverage, and roster analysis.
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I own none of the footage in the video, it is intended for the purposes of critique and education.
He seems quite athletic, powerful at the rim, great at defence, and his size is perfect to play and defend against both forwards and guards. So he seems like a great fit but my only concern is whether he can shoot