Examining Nuggets' Salary Cap, Decisions for 2026 NBA Free Agency after Wolves Loss
Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets are heading to the offseason earlier than expected after losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round.
Late in the regular season, Denver put together a torrid run of 12 consecutive wins. As a result, the Nuggets soared from sixth in the Western Conference to the third seed and home-court advantage in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
But that hot streak fizzled in the postseason.
As with several other playoff teams, Denver is set to return a majority of its core. Considering the franchise's recent history of bold moves, however, a marquee trade to tweak the rotation around Jokic would not be surprising.
2026 Salary Cap
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Flexibility? Never heard of it.
Denver has committed $212 million to its roster next season, and it's not difficult to figure out why. Jokic ($59 million) and Jamal Murray ($50.1 million) are hefty earners, while Aaron Gordon's rate is jumping to $32 million.
Behind them, Cameron Johnson ($23 million) is entering the final year of his contract. Christian Braun's extension is about to kick in, vaulting his salary from $4.9 million to a pricey $21.5 million.
Four others are under contract, and the Nuggets hold a team option on Jalen Pickett. Peyton Watson is due a major raise in restricted free agency, though.
The projected $222 million second apron, the most restrictive salary-cap level in the NBA, absolutely will factor into their offseason discussions.
Top Contract Decisions
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Do the Nuggets want to keep Peyton Watson? Sure.
Can they afford him? That's a key question for the offseason, one in which we might see Denver be active on the trade market.
No sane franchise is dealing Jokic, and Murray is a star in the backcourt. But if Watson is a priority, the math is complicated. Keeping him probably means the Nuggets deal Gordon and/or Johnson—which may happen, regardless.
While shedding the $10 million on Jonas Valanciunas' contract would be ideal, Denver has already used a ton of draft capital in previous trades.
An easy one? Exercise the option for Jalen Pickett.
The remainder of the Nuggets' plans will not be so straightforward—and sanity may not prevail if there's an indication Jokic might decline his option next offseason. But that's a-whole-nother hypothetical.
Free Agents to Pursue
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If you're looking for a splashy free agent, Denver fans, don't invest too much of your emotion into those visions.
The notion of LeBron James signing a minimum deal, as floated by ESPN's Dave McMenamin and Tim Bontemps, is a dream within a dream.
Reality will be much less exciting, in all likelihood. Bringing back Spencer Jones is quietly important, while Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown both offered needed production off the bench in 80-plus appearances.
Inexpensive reserves will be critical to the Nuggets next season.
That might be Jordan Goodwin, Josh Okogie or Cam Thomas for the backcourt, Harrison Barnes on the wing or Mitchell Robinson down low. Any competent backup is a must-add, if the opportunity presents itself.
