All articles tagged with #denver nuggets
Six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan is set to sign a one-year, $3.9 million contract with the Denver Nuggets after being waived by the Kings. The 17-year veteran averaged 18.4 points in 77 games last season and ranks 16th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 26,711 points.
A five-team deal centered on Peyton Watson triggers a fresh NBA power ranking shift: Thunder and Spurs sit at the top, the Timberwolves are slotted No. 4, and the Raptors jump into the top-10. Denver slides after trading Watson, while Cleveland nudges up thanks to the added wing defense and a valuable unprotected 2031 pick, though depth and fit concerns linger. The shake-up keeps expectations fluid across both conferences as contenders recalibrate around star power, contracts, and future assets.
The Cavaliers acquire Peyton Watson (and Cam Whitmore) in a five-team trade that also sends Max Strus to the Clippers and reshapes Denver’s cap situation; Watson signs a four-year, $88 million deal to fill the wing spot, while Denver takes a financial hit and loses a promising asset. The Clippers gain Strus to bolster their wing rotation, Washington lands Tre Mann, and Charlotte gets Dennis Schroder. James Harden is positioned to re-sign with Cleveland, signaling a win-now shift for the Cavaliers.
NBA trade chatter suggests Cleveland will acquire Peyton Watson from Denver in a four-year, $88M sign‑and‑trade as part of a five‑team deal with the Clippers, Wizards, and Hornets; the package reportedly includes Cam Whitmore to Washington, Ismael Kamagate potentially headed to Cleveland (destination not finalized), Max Strus to the Clippers, Dennis Schröder to the Hornets, and Tre Mann to Washington, with Denver receiving Julian Reese (two-way) and Cavaliers’ 2031 first-round pick plus a Cavaliers/Kings 2032 second-round pick. Kamagate’s landing spot remains unsettled. The move’s broader impact centers on Cleveland’s cap strategy (including a potential DeMar DeRozan re-signing), Nuggets’ status above the second apron, and how the other teams’ cap/TPE situations shake out; the deal isn’t official yet and could still change.
Cleveland acquires Peyton Watson on a four-year, $88 million deal in a multi-team swap that sends Max Strus to the Clippers and future picks to Denver, with Tre Mann and cash helping land Cam Whitmore via a Wizards trade and Julian Reese moving to Denver. The move signals Cleveland’s push for a wings-deep, guard-able lineup, while Denver’s championship window tightens amid cap constraints after losing a rising young wing. The piece grades the teams: Cavaliers B, Nuggets D, Clippers C+, Wizards C+.
In a sprawling four-team deal, Peyton Watson is traded from Denver to Cleveland, where he signs a four-year, $88 million contract; Cleveland also lands Cam Whitmore from Washington as part of a swap that sends Max Strus to the Clippers. Denver collects a 2031 first-round pick from Cleveland and a 2032 second-round pick from the Kings. Washington receives Tre Mann (plus a 2027 Clippers second-round pick) in exchange for Whitmore, with Julian Reese going to Denver to be waived. The Cavaliers’ cap situation tightens (hard apron), and Cleveland is reportedly pursuing DeMar DeRozan.
The piece outlines a hypothetical three‑team swap among the Cavaliers, Nuggets and Grizzlies to land Peyton Watson in Cleveland, potentially pave a sign‑and‑trade for James Harden, and help Denver manage payroll by moving Watson, while Memphis adds Max Strus and Zeke Nnaji to bolster its core, all within hard‑cap and traded‑player‑exception considerations.
Denver traded the 26th pick to the Spurs for the 35th pick and two future seconds, then added Santa three more second-rounders (plus their 49th pick) for four total in play. The move gives Denver draft-capital flexibility while battling the second tax apron amid big payrolls (Watson extension and core stars). They may waive Jonas Valanciunas and pursue salary-dump moves, potentially trading Zeke Nnaji to help balance the books. The extra second-round picks could be used as future assets or to land short-term help, with 35th and 49th selections likely to feature sleepers like Isaiah Evans, Maleek Thomas, Henri Veesaar, Baba Miller, and others; the next solid second-round asset could come via a 2033 pick.)
Denver traded its 26th pick to San Antonio, exiting the first round and receiving the Spurs’ No. 35 pick in the second round plus two future second-round selections; Denver will also hold No. 49 in the second round and now has added multiple future draft assets as it weighs how to use them amid roster and luxury-tax considerations.
The Minnesota Timberwolves, despite an injury-plagued season, stunned the Denver Nuggets in six to reach the next round before being eliminated by the San Antonio Spurs in six. The run was defined by high-energy, soulful basketball and moments of brilliance from Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, and Rudy Gobert, but limited depth and inconsistency prevented a title push. The season ends with roster questions looming and anticipation for next year as the Wolves head toward a potential playoff rematch against the Thunder.
Marc Stein’s latest notes a flurry of NBA rumors: Orlando Magic coach Jamahl Mosley is likely to be blamed for the first-round exit with replacements like Billy Donovan or Dusty May floated; the Nuggets are reportedly safe under David Adelman but could pursue trades to boost Jokic’s defense and athleticism; Bulls and Mavericks are weighing leadership changes with several candidates in play; and Steve Kerr’s future with the Warriors is under discussion as ESPN reportedly courts him.
Denver’s title-era run ends with a six-game first-round loss to a depleted Minnesota squad, as injuries and depth issues expose the Nuggets’ flaws. Jokic shines in Game 6, but Jamal Murray struggles and the defense and supporting cast falter, prompting questions about building around Jokic this offseason.
Denver finished 54–28 (3rd in the West) behind a historic offense and a superstar season from Nikola Jokić (27.7 PPG, 12.9 RPG, 10.7 APG; league leader in rebounds and assists) with Jamal Murray breaking out as a full-season star. Offseason moves brought Cameron Johnson and Tim Hardaway Jr., but injuries limited key pieces (Braun 44 games, Johnson 54, Gordon 36) and Denver’s defense ranked 21st (117.4 DRtg) despite the record offense. After a 12-game closing run to lock the No. 3 seed, the Nuggets were upset in the first round by Minnesota; Jokić notched a 27–12–16 triple‑double in Game 5 but Denver couldn’t complete the rally. The result raises questions about next steps with roster and health considerations ahead.
Jaden McDaniels poured in a career-high 32 points as Minnesota, shorthanded by injuries to Anthony Edwards, Ayo Dosunmu and Donte DiVincenzo, leaned on a selfless, five-forward rotation to topple the Denver Nuggets in Game 6. McDaniels’ defense on Jamal Murray and Rudy Gobert’s on Nikola Jokic, plus improved ball protection, helped the Wolves win the series and advance to face San Antonio. Terrence Shannon Jr. added 24 points in the effort, underscoring a team-wide effort as Minnesota capitalized on its gritty, collective performance.
Nikola Jokic reiterated his desire to sign a contract extension with the Denver Nuggets this summer, saying he wants to spend his career in Denver after the team’s first-round exit. He previously declined a three-year, roughly $207 million offer, and this offseason could bring about $80 million more in potential earnings.