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Peyton Watson Stein: Cavs remain interested in Peyton Watson
Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 4:52 AM
The Stein Line
NBA insider Marc Stein reports that the Cavaliers remain interested in pursuing restricted free agent Peyton Watson.
Analysis: Watson remains a restricted free agent, and the Cavaliers are reportedly exploring ways to create enough salary-cap space to offer him a four-year deal. According to Stein, Cleveland has considered trade scenarios involving guards Dennis Schroder and Max Strus to shed salary. Watson is seeking a deal worth more than $25 million annually, but could also accept his $6.5 million qualifying offer from the Nuggets and become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Whether he remains in Denver or heads elsewhere, Watson has the skill set needed to offer reliable fantasy value. That said, an opportunity to start would raise his ceiling, and that may not be possible in Denver next season. |
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Lonnie Walker IV Shams: Nuggets sign Lonnie Walker IV
Wed, Aug 5, 2026, 5:00 PM
Shams Charania
Lonnie Walker IV agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million contract with the Nuggets, reports ESPN's Shams Charania.
Analysis: Walker spent the last season with Maccabi Tel Aviv in the EuroLeague. Prior to that, he spent seven seasons in the NBA. Walker 12.4 points and 23.4 minutes per game in 2024-25 with the Sixers. He'll earn the veteran minimum with the Nuggets. |
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Peyton Watson Report: DEN seeks first-round pick in Watson S&T
Fri, Jul 31, 2026, 5:42 AM
HoopsHype
HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports that the Nuggets are seeking a future first-round pick in any potential sign-and-trade for Peyton Watson.
Analysis: Watson remains a restricted free agent, and there has not been much movement between him and the Nuggets regarding a new deal. While Denver wants to hold onto him, the possibility of a sign-and-trade remains. According to Scotto, the Nuggets would want a future first-round pick in return if they were to move Watson. One of the teams reported to be interested, Milwaukee, is said to be willing to consider absorbing Zeke Nnaji's contract, which the Nuggets have been looking to get off their books for quite some time. Watson also has the option of accepting his qualifying offer of $6.5 million, which would allow him to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. |
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Peyton Watson Report: DEN offered Watson $70m over five years
Tue, Jul 28, 2026, 5:52 AM
The Athletic
Tony Jones of The Athletic reports that the Nuggets offered restricted free agent Peyton Watson a five-year, $70 million contract.
Analysis: While it was reported that the Nuggets offered Watson $70 million over four years, another report says the team is willing to put up that amount over five years. The Nuggets are looking to get back under the second apron, hence the figure being offered to Watson. Regardless of the contract's length, the annual value is a far cry from the $25 million that Watson was reportedly seeking. And with teams that have reportedly expressed interest in signing Watson needing to execute a sign-and-trade to get something done, the Nuggets have leverage. Watson has the option to accept his qualifying offer, which would make him an unrestricted free agent next summer, but that path carries significant risk. If he were to either play poorly or suffer an injury, Watson could stand to lose even more money next summer. |
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Xavier Cooks Trevon Brazile posts 17 points, eight rebounds
Thu, Jul 16, 2026, 6:33 PM
Trevon Brazile notched 17 points (6-of-16 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), eight rebounds, one assist, three blocks and two three-pointers in Thursday's loss to the Trail Blazers.
Analysis: Brazile did not have his best night shooting the basketball, but the second-round pick still showed why Denver made sure to draft him. Active on the glass and defensively, the 6-foot-10 forward finished with another solid stat line. Like fellow second-round pick Bryce Hopkins, Brazile has not yet agreed to a contract, with Peyton Watson's free agency likely a factor. However, he has the potential to contribute immediately for the Nuggets because of his athleticism and motor. |
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Xavier Cooks Bryce Hopkins hits three triples, scores 18 points
Thu, Jul 16, 2026, 6:27 PM
Bryce Hopkins finished Thursday's loss to the Trail Blazers with 18 points (6-of-11 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), eight rebounds, three assists, two steals and three three-pointers.
Analysis: Hopkins, whose contract status for next season has not been finalized, has played well throughout the Nuggets' time in Las Vegas. The former St. John's forward shot 3-of-6 from beyond the arc on Thursday and was a blocked shot shy of a complete stat line. Depending on what happens with Peyton Watson, who is a restricted free agent, Hopkins' fantasy ceiling as a rookie will be limited. That said, he has the experience and skill set needed to contribute immediately if called upon. |
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Xavier Cooks Bryce Hopkins posts 14 points, seven rebounds
Tue, Jul 14, 2026, 5:22 PM
Bryce Hopkins amassed 14 points (6-of-14 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), seven rebounds, one assist, one steal and one three-pointer in Tuesday's win over the Thunder.
Analysis: While Trevon Brazile stole the show with his 32-point effort, Hopkins supplemented his fellow rookie's night with another quality performance. Hopkins' stat line was missing only a blocked shot, and he made five of his 11 two-point attempts. Denver has yet to finalize its offseason business, as restricted free agent Peyton Watson is still on the market. That said, Hopkins offers the combination of talent and experience that could lead to opportunities to contribute off the bench next season. That isn't enough to make him fantasy-relevant, but things could be far worse for Hopkins. |
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Xavier Cooks Trevon Brazile goes off for game-high 32 points
Tue, Jul 14, 2026, 5:07 PM
Trevon Brazile finished Tuesday's win over the Thunder with 32 points (11-of-19 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), six rebounds, one steal, one block and six three-pointers.
Analysis: Brazile put forth his best performance of the summer on Tuesday, and he was on fire from the start. The second-round pick scored 19 points in the first half, ending it with a long three from just inside the half-court line as time expired. Brazile would score 13 more after halftime, more than holding his own against a Thunder frontcourt headlined by lottery pick Aday Mara. Because of Peyton Watson's restricted free agency, Brazile's contract status has not been finalized, but games like Tuesday's likely increase his chances of landing a standard deal. |
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Xavier Cooks Shams: Nuggets sign Alpha Diallo to one-year deal
Sun, Jul 12, 2026, 10:15 AM
Shams Charania
Nuggets signed F Alpha Diallo to a one-year, $1.4 million contract.
Analysis: Diallo, 29, won EuroLeague Best Defender award last year. Now he'll make the jump to the NBA on a guaranteed contract with the Nuggets. While Diallo agreed to a relatively cheap contract, the fact a contending team like Denver decided to take a chance on him speaks volumes. |
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Xavier Cooks Bryce Hopkins records 16 points, seven rebounds
Sat, Jul 11, 2026, 3:51 PM
Bryce Hopkins amassed 16 points (6-of-13 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), seven rebounds, two assists and one blocked shot in Saturday's win over the Timberwolves.
Analysis: Hopkins did not do as much scoring as he did in his summer debut on Friday, but the rookie out of St. John's had another solid effort for the Nuggets. His activity as a rebounder and defender has been good; playing his final season for Rick Pitino certainly paid dividends on that end of the floor. Whether he's on a two-way deal or a standard contract, Hopkins has the tools needed to contribute if his name is called during the regular season. |
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Xavier Cooks Trevon Brazile corrals 11 rebounds in summer debut
Fri, Jul 10, 2026, 2:54 PM
Trevon Brazile tallied five points (2-of-8 FGs), 11 rebounds, one steal and one three-pointer in Friday's loss to the Rockets.
Analysis: Brazile made his first summer league appearance on Friday, and he struggled to finish around the basket. The former Arkansas forward/center shot 2-of-7 from two, but he was active on the boards with a game-high 11 rebounds. Like fellow rookie Bryce Hopkins, Brazile has not finalized a contract as the Nuggets attend to other affairs, most notably Peyton Watson's restricted free agency. With DaRon Holmes II a full year removed from his Achilles tear and Zeke Nnaji yet to pan out, there may be opportunities for Brazile off the bench, mainly as a defender and rebounder. |
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Xavier Cooks Bryce Hopkins produces 24 points, five 'stocks'
Fri, Jul 10, 2026, 2:51 PM
Bryce Hopkins amassed 24 points (9-of-13 FGs, 3-of-6 FTs), four rebounds, three steals, two blocks and one three-pointer in Friday's loss to the Rockets.
Analysis: The 49th overall pick in the 2026 draft, Hopkins' contract status for next season has yet to be finalized. With the Nuggets still waiting out the situation involving restricted free agent Peyton Watson, summer league takes on added importance for Hopkins as he looks to earn a standard contract or a two-way deal. Friday's performance should help, as the former St. John's standout shot over 50 percent from the field and was active on defense. Given his experience at the college level, Hopkins may be better equipped to help the Nuggets immediately, who remain contenders with Nikola Joki? and Jamal Murray on the roster. |
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Nikola Jokic Nikola Joki? plans to wait until 2027 to re-sign
Mon, Jul 6, 2026, 11:53 AM
Marko Ljubomirovi?
Nikola Joki? said on Monday that he plans to wait until next offseason to re-sign with the Nuggets.
Analysis: Joki? has repeatedly said that he plans to spend his entire NBA career in Denver, and nothing has changed in that regard. Following Serbia's FIBA World Cup qualifying win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, the three-time NBA MVP said he plans to sign his extension next summer. The question now is whether he'll opt into the final season of his current deal, 2027-28, and then ink an extension, or sign one after declining it. The final year of Joki?'s current deal would pay him just under $63 million if he were to opt in. Simply put, Nuggets fans and fantasy managers have little to worry about regarding the 6-foot-11 center's NBA future. |
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Peyton Watson Report: DEN open to Watson sign-and-trade offers
Sun, Jul 5, 2026, 3:28 PM
The Athletic
Sam Amick of The Athletic reports that while the Nuggets plan to match any offer sheet that Peyton Watson signs, they're also open to potential sign-and-trades.
Analysis: Watson is a restricted free agent, and like a few other players in his position, he's been made to wait thanks to a market lacking suitors with available cap space. Denver views him as a key player for the franchise's future, but there is also a significant gap between what Watson wants, reportedly $25 million per year, and what the team is willing to pay. As a result, the Nuggets are reportedly open to a sign-and-trade as they look to avoid going into the second apron. At this point, only the Nets and Clippers have the cap space to provide Watson an offer sheet without needing to negotiate a trade. |
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Tyus Jones Shams: Tyus Jones, Nuggets agree on deal
Thu, Jul 2, 2026, 12:41 PM
Shams Charania
Tyus Jones agreed to a one-year contract with the Nuggets, reports ESPN's Shams Charania.
Analysis: Jones was traded twice and waived in February before the Nuggets picked him up. He appeared in 11 regular season games with Denver and three playoff games. The Nuggets saw enough to bring him back on a one-year deal, but he isn't in line for a fantasy-relevant role. |
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Marvin Bagley III Report: Nuggets sign Marvin Bagley III to contract
Wed, Jul 1, 2026, 7:29 PM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports that the Nuggets have signed Marvin Bagley III to a one-year deal.
Analysis: The signing of Bagley gives the Nuggets additional frontcourt depth and could mean that Jonas Valan?i?nas' time in the Mile High City is coming to an end. Between Washington and Dallas, the 2018 second overall pick appeared in 60 games last season, averaging 10.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 20 minutes. With Nikola Joki? set to once again log heavy minutes in the middle, Bagley is unlikely to get the run needed to have an impact in fantasy basketball in 2026-27. |
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Xavier Cooks Nuggets select Bryce Hopkins with No. 49 pick
Wed, Jun 24, 2026, 3:41 PM
Nuggets selected Bryce Hopkins with the No. 49 pick in the NBA Draft.
Analysis: A highly-regarded recruit out of high school, the 6-foot-6 Hopkins played one season at Kentucky before transferring to Providence. After three seasons there, the second of which was interrupted by a torn ACL, he transferred to St. John's for his final campaign. During his lone season in Queens, Hopkins showed that the knee wasn't an issue, making 37 starts and averaging 13.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.9 three-pointers per game. And he shot the ball reasonably well, putting up percentages of 46.9 percent from the field, 36.3 percent from three and 71.3 percent from the foul line. Tim Hardaway Jr. is an unrestricted free agent this summer, and the Nuggets can use additional wing depth regardless of what happens with the veteran. Hopkins will need to rely on his improved defense early on, and he may benefit from playing off stars Nikola Joki? and Jamal Murray. |
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Xavier Cooks Nuggets select Trevon Brazile with No. 35 pick
Wed, Jun 24, 2026, 2:46 PM
Nuggets selected Trevon Brazile with the No. 35 pick in the NBA Draft.
Analysis: After one season at Missouri, the 6-foot-10 Brazile spent the next four at Arkansas. He saved his best for last, averaging 13.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.6 blocks and 1.3 three-pointers in 31.5 minutes per game, all career-high numbers. Part of the Darius Acuff Jr.-led team that won the SEC tournament in March, Brazile shot 52.5 percent from the field, 34.1 percent from three and 71.7 percent from the foul line. The Nuggets need frontcourt depth, especially if the Aaron Gordon trade rumors lead to a move. Brazile's athleticism and defensive ability will give him an opportunity to earn rotation minutes off the bench. |
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Aaron Gordon Report: Aaron Gordon drawing trade interest
Sun, Jun 14, 2026, 2:08 PM
Marc Stein
NBA insider Marc Stein reports that teams have registered interest in trading for Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon.
Analysis: Despite being limited to 87 regular-season games over the last two seasons due to injuries. Gordon is a popular player heading into the offseason. According to Stein, the athletic forward is the veteran Nuggets player who has drawn the most trade interest from opposing teams. However, he also reported that if Denver were to make a move, they would prefer to find a trade partner for Christian Braun rather than for Gordon or Jamal Murray. Making a move would likely make it easier for the Nuggets to hold onto Peyton Watson, who will be a restricted free agent at the end of the month. |
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Jamal Murray Jamal Murray held to 12 points in Game 6 loss
Thu, Apr 30, 2026, 7:22 PM
Jamal Murray totaled 12 points (4-of-17 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), six rebounds, four assists and one block in the loss to the Timberwolves on Thursday.
Analysis: Murray struggled on Thursday on both ends of the floor. On offense, the length of Jaden McDaniels sure had an impact, as the veteran point guard had more missed shots than total points. He was also attacked as a one-on-one defender repeatedly down the stretch, ultimately allowing some key Minnesota baskets to close the game. While Murray had a tough time finding his rhythm throughout the series, he had a phenomenal regular season, averaging 25.4 points, 7.1 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.3 three-pointers, which were all career bests. He turned in one of his better fantasy seasons and should be able to perform at a high level again next season. |
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