Denver Nuggets Face Costly Roster Decisions Heading Into 2026 Offseason
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DENVER — A first-round playoff exit and an aging, increasingly expensive core have pushed the Denver Nuggets into a pivotal summer, with the franchise weighing major moves beyond a near-certain mega-extension for Nikola Jokić.
Last Summer’s Cap Shuffle
Denver’s 2025 offseason opened with a money-saving trade that sent Michael Porter Jr. and an unprotected 2031 first-round pick to Brooklyn for Cameron Johnson. Porter’s $38.3 million cap hit in 2025-26 — and projected $40.8 million in 2026-27 — was replaced by Johnson’s $21.6 million and $23.1 million salaries, respectively.
Seeking depth, the front office then signed Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown to minimum deals and moved Dario Šarić to Sacramento for Jonas Valančiūnas. Days before the season tipped off, 2022 first-rounder Christian Braun secured a five-year, $125 million rookie-scale extension, while fellow 2022 draftee Peyton Watson was left heading toward restricted free agency.
Injuries Disrupt Promising Start
The Nuggets opened 2025-26 at 20-6 before a rash of injuries eroded their momentum. Braun (serious ankle sprain) and Aaron Gordon (hamstring strain) went down in November, Johnson suffered a knee sprain and bone bruise in late December, and both Jokić (knee sprain/bone bruise) and Valančiūnas (calf strain) missed multiple weeks shortly afterward.
Jokić, posting career-best numbers prior to the setback, still played 65 games — his fewest ever — and needed the regular-season finale to qualify for awards. Finishing second in MVP voting for the sixth straight year, he matched an NBA record shared by Bill Russell and Larry Bird for consecutive top-two finishes.
Watson Emerges, Murray Ascends
With minutes available, Watson flashed two-way potential before a pre-deadline hamstring strain sidelined him. Jamal Murray, meanwhile, appeared in 75 games, earning his first All-Star nod and a spot on the All-NBA Third Team.
Denver closed the schedule on a 12-game winning streak, finishing 54-28 and claiming the West’s No. 3 seed despite Braun and Gordon combining for only 80 appearances and Johnson and Watson logging 54 each.
Playoff Shortcomings Against Minnesota
The postseason exposed Denver’s lack of size, athleticism and defense versus the division-rival Timberwolves. Jaden McDaniels stifled Murray and attacked him at the other end, while Rudy Gobert limited Jokić to 19.4% shooting on six three-point attempts per game — the center’s least efficient playoff series to date.
Watson missed the entire matchup, and Gordon re-injured his hamstring in Game 2. Minnesota endured its own health issues — Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles tear) and Anthony Edwards (knee sprain) were both hurt in Game 4 — yet still prevailed in six games.
Key Questions Ahead
Jokić is eligible this summer for a projected four-year, $285 million extension and has reiterated his desire to remain a “Nugget forever.” Beyond locking in the two-time MVP, president Josh Kroenke said “everything could be on the table,” leaving trade possibilities open for long-time pillars Murray and Gordon.
Moving Johnson’s contract to create room for a new deal with Watson appears the most likely cap maneuver, but team officials have not committed to that path. With costs rising and competitive windows narrowing, Denver’s next steps will shape the franchise’s trajectory for years to come.
Source: Hoops Rumors
