NBA Rumors: Reggie Jackson, 3 Draft Picks Traded from Nuggets to Hornets

The Denver Nuggets are reportedly trading veteran point guard Reggie Jackson to the Charlotte Hornets along with three unprotected second-round picks, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The full details of the trade are not yet known.

Jackson, who joined the Nuggets halfway through the 2022-23 season, averaged 10.2 and 3.8 assists while playing 22.2 minutes per game this year, primarily playing a bench role for Denver.

Earlier this week, the 34-year-old exercised the player option on his contract, which kept him with the Nuggets for another season at the time. By trading him, Denver saves the $5.25 million it would have had to pay him for the 2024-25 season.

ESPN's Tim Bontemps noted that the Nuggets are nearing the second apron in cap space and get a bit of breathing room to sign free agents this offseason:

As Bontemps said, the Nuggets will need to re-sign shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope after he declined the $15.4 million option on his contract on Thursday. The trade also comes amid reports that star guard Jamal Murray is expected to sign a four-year, $209 million max contract.

The Nuggets have managed to keep most of their 2023 championship-winning roster together, but parting with Jackson is a sacrifice they had to make to put themselves in position to compete for another title next season.