Nuggets eye full roster health with roughly 20 games left
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Denver head coach David Adelman said Tuesday he expects the Nuggets to be back at full strength with about 20 games remaining on the regular-season schedule. Denver plays its 62nd game Monday in Utah, putting the anticipated return date for several injured rotation pieces roughly one week away.
Injury updates
Aaron Gordon (right hamstring strain) and Peyton Watson (left hamstring strain) headline the club’s injury list. Gordon, sidelined since Jan. 23 and originally given a four-to-six-week timetable, participated in every portion of Tuesday’s practice except contact work, according to Adelman. Watson, out since Feb. 4, is expected to be reevaluated in early March.
Reporter Ryan Blackburn of Mile High Sports cautioned that both forwards could still be two to three weeks from game action, but Adelman characterized their progress as day-to-day.
Offseason cap considerations
Bennett Durando of The Denver Post wrote in a mailbag that Denver may have to move a high-salary player this summer to keep Watson, a restricted free agent after a breakout 2025-26 campaign. The Nuggets have treated the second tax apron as a de facto hard cap, and sources told Durando that forward Cameron Johnson is viewed league-wide as the most likely trade candidate if the club seeks financial flexibility.
Roster spot and two-way deal
Denver still has one opening on its 15-man roster. Durando reported the front office is inclined to use that spot for additional wing size but will monitor the buyout market before acting.
Guard KJ Simpson’s recently signed two-way contract spans two seasons, giving the Nuggets control of the rookie through 2026-27, Keith Smith of Spotrac noted.
Source: Hoops Rumors
