Denver Nuggets

Front office and bench

Ownership

Stan Kroenke (Kroenke Sports & Entertainment)

President and Vice Chairman (top executive)

Josh Kroenke since 2010

Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations

Ben Tenzer since 2025

Executive Vice President of Player Personnel

Jonathan Wallace since 2025

Assistants

• Dave JoergerLead assistant coach (2026, former Grizzlies and Kings head coach)
• Jared DudleyAssistant coach
• Ognjen StojakovicAssistant coach
• John BeckettAssistant coach
• JJ BareaAssistant coach

The direction

What the franchise says and what its moves show

Everything revolves around Nikola Jokic, whom the franchise considers untouchable, with Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon as his sidekicks. The summer was about getting below the second apron (they were the only team over it) and adding draft assets, betting on continuity rather than a major overhaul. Jokic's decision to delay his extension adds medium-term uncertainty.

Building around

Nikola Jokic Jamal Murray Aaron Gordon

What they have said

• After the first-round exit he said he had full confidence in Adelman and that everything on the roster was negotiable except Jokic.

  President Josh Kroenke · ESPN · May 2026

• He reiterated that he wants to play his entire career in Denver, but that he'll probably sign his extension next year.

  Nikola Jokic (player) · ESPN / Denver Gazette · July 2026

What the data points to

• Deadline buyer Very likely

  • Projects to 48.5 wins: built to compete now.
  • Can offer 1 first-round pick (2031).
  • Has 23.1 M in expiring contracts to match salaries.
• Clean up the books Likely

  • Spends 217.8 M and is over the first apron.
  • It is 17.4 M over the tax, and every extra million costs another one and a half or more in penalties.
  • Expiring contracts appeal to it: swapping long money for salary that runs out frees up room for the summer.

Moves

Summer 2026

• Peyton Watson goes to Cleveland in a sign-and-trade for an unprotected Cavaliers first-round pick.
• They sign DeMar DeRozan (one year), Marvin Bagley III and Lonnie Walker IV.
• Spencer Jones and Tyus Jones re-sign.
• Tim Hardaway Jr. and Jonas Valančiūnas depart.
• 2026 Draft: they send No. 26 to San Antonio for No. 35 and two future seconds; they select Trevon Brazile (No. 35) and Bryce Hopkins (No. 49).
• They hire Dave Joerger as Adelman's lead assistant.
• Nikola Jokic decides not to sign an extension this summer, preferring to wait until 2027.

Latest

• Oct 17 Waived Waived G Dame Goodwin and Fs Coleman Hawkins and Emanuel Miller.
• Oct 17 Waived Waived G Dane Goodwin. Waived Fs Coleman Hawkins and Emanuel Miller.
• Oct 14 Waived Waived C Steven Crowl.
• Oct 13 Waived Waived F Pedro Bradshaw.
• Oct 12 Waived Waived G Lonnie Walker IV.
• Sep 23 Waived Waived G Boopie Miller.

The roster

13 NBA contracts · 2026-27 salaries

Strengths and weaknesses

Today's roster, facet by facet (league rank)

• Defense 26th
• Rim protection 24th
• Three-point shooting 16th
• Playmaking 6th
• Scoring 1st
• Rebounding 23rd
• Offensive impact 1st

Roster holes

• Weak in defenseWith today’s rotation it ranks 26th in the league in defense.
• Weak in rim protectionWith today’s rotation it ranks 24th in the league in rim protection.
• Only 1 center in the rotationOne injury leaves it without a backup in the paint.
• 2 open roster spotsHas 13 of 15 NBA contracts: it can sign players without cutting anyone.

Contracts and extensions

Expiring this season

• Cameron Johnson 29 years old · paid 23.1 M Salary coming off the books
• Julian Strawther 23 years old · paid 4.8 M Restricted free agent Re-signing him would cost about 6.3 M a year

With an option next summer

• Nikola Jokić59.0 M · can leave early

Bargains (produce far above their salary, for several years)

None.

Pricey but short (paid more than they produce, but ending soon)

None.

Money and picks

Payroll 217.8 M Cap 165.0 M Tax 200.4 M 1st apron 209.0 M 2nd apron 221.7 M

Payroll

217.8 M · over the first apron

Distance to each line

tax: 17.4 M over · 1st apron: 8.8 M over · 2nd apron: 3.9 M below

Next summer

206.5 M committed · no cap space

First-rounders it can trade

2031 · holds 1 other team’s first and 2 swaps

Radar and possible trades

Players who fit and that it can afford

• Tre Jones CHI8.0 M · signed through 2027-28, produces above his salary
• Deandre Ayton WAS8.1 M · expiring contract, produces above his salary
• Goga Bitadze ORL7.6 M · expiring contract, produces above his salary

A trade that works under the CBA

Trade pieces

Assets

DeMar DeRozan (worth 30.2 M more than his salary), Marvin Bagley III (worth 7.6 M more than his salary)

Contracts that weigh

None

To match salaries

Cameron Johnson (23.1 M)