Nuggets Reportedly Shopping Zeke Nnaji and No. 26 Pick; Jazz Want Nurkic Back; Suns and Magic Navigate Costly Off-seasons
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DENVER — The Nuggets have let rival clubs know they are willing to discuss a package built around forward Zeke Nnaji and the No. 26 selection in this month’s draft, league sources told HoopsHype. Denver faces a tight salary sheet with Peyton Watson headed to restricted free agency this summer.
Nnaji, 25, has logged limited minutes in each of the past three seasons. The former first-round pick signed a four-year, $32 million rookie extension in 2023 and still has $14.9 million guaranteed through 2027-28, when he holds a player option.
Jazz interested in keeping Jusuf Nurkic
SALT LAKE CITY — After averaging 10.9 points, 10.4 rebounds and a career-best 4.8 assists across 26.4 minutes in his first year with Utah, veteran center Jusuf Nurkic is on the Jazz’s offseason priority list, sources said. The 12-year veteran will be an unrestricted free agent after earning $19.4 million in 2025-26.
Suns weigh new deals for Williams, Goodwin and Brooks
PHOENIX — Phoenix already reached a four-year, $48 million agreement with guard Collin Gillespie. Next up: restricted free-agent center Mark Williams and unrestricted guard Jordan Goodwin. Executives polled by HoopsHype expect Williams to command roughly the non-taxpayer midlevel exception — projected to start at $15 million and reach $64.7 million over four years. Goodwin’s market is believed to sit between $5 million and $6 million annually.
The Suns are thought to be willing to exceed the full midlevel on a short deal to keep Williams, according to the report. Phoenix is also exploring an extension for forward Dillon Brooks that could approach $25 million per season.
Magic confront looming luxury-tax crunch
ORLANDO — Paolo Banchero’s upcoming rookie-max extension will spike Orlando’s payroll next season, raising questions about the franchise’s approach to fellow lottery guard Anthony Black. Black posted numbers similar to Jalen Suggs in 2025-26 and becomes extension-eligible this summer. Suggs is entering Year 2 of a five-year, $150 million pact that carries a team option in the final season.
Front-office personnel around the league anticipate Orlando will eventually have to choose between Suggs and Black if both remain on sizable deals, the report noted. Should Black go unsigned, he would hit restricted free agency in 2027.
Sweeney lines up coaching staff in Orlando
Assistant coach candidates expected to join new head coach Sean Sweeney include Joe Prunty, Popeye Jones, Greg Buckner and Tom Bialaszewski. Orlando previously added Riley Crean, Mfon Udofia and DJ Bakker to Sweeney’s bench.
Source: HoopsRumors
