Nuggets Facing Tough Roster Decisions After Trade Deadline

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The Denver Nuggets made a salary dump trade before the NBA trade deadline to duck the luxury tax, but they still face difficult decisions about their roster construction going forward. With key players like Peyton Watson set to enter restricted free agency, the Nuggets will have to make tough choices about who to keep and who to let go in order to stay competitive while managing their salary cap obligations.

Why it matters

The Nuggets are in a championship window with their core of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon, but their ability to keep that group together is being tested by the realities of the NBA's salary cap system. How they navigate these roster decisions could determine whether they can sustain their status as a title contender during Jokic's prime.

The details

The Nuggets shipped off former second-round pick Hunter Tyson and a 2032 second-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets just to duck the luxury tax. They were $1.8 million under the luxury tax after that trade. The Nuggets also finalized the conversion of Spencer Jones' contract to a standard deal, making him eligible for the postseason. However, Jones will now be a restricted free agent this summer, potentially further complicating the Nuggets' roster situation. The Nuggets will soon have to make decisions on retaining players like Peyton Watson, who is set to command a significant contract as a restricted free agent.

• The Nuggets made a salary dump trade prior to the 2026 NBA trade deadline.
• Spencer Jones' contract was converted to a standard deal, making him eligible for the postseason.

What’s next

The Nuggets will have to make difficult decisions about their roster in the offseason, including whether to retain Peyton Watson and Spencer Jones, in order to stay competitive while managing their salary cap obligations.