NBA Notes: Nuggets, Nikola Jokic, Wizards, Kings, DeMar DeRozan

Nuggets

Nikola Jokic is still on the mend, and the vibe in Denver is patience, not panic.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Jokic will be reevaluated in about a week as he continues his return from a hyperextended left knee and bone bruise. No setbacks. In fact, Charania said the reigning MVP is making “great progress” and is now in the ramp-up phase.

And here’s the thing: The Nuggets have quietly held it together without him.

Denver is 9-5 since Jokic went down and sits at 31-15, tied for second in the West. That matters. Last season, they went 4-8 without him. This year, they look far more stable.

There’s also no real rush. The only downside to playing it safe is award eligibility. If Jokic does not return by Feb. 1, he will fall short of the 65-game minimum. But that feels like a trade Denver is willing to make.

Before the injury, Jokic was doing Jokic things. Career-high 29.6 points. League-best 12.2 rebounds and 11.0 assists. Shooting splits that look like a video game cheat code.

Wizards

Skal Labissiere is officially back on an NBA roster.

Washington has signed the former first-round pick to a 10-day contract, per a team press release.

Labissiere, drafted in 2016, previously appeared in 148 NBA games with Sacramento and Portland, averaging 7.2 points and 4.5 rebounds in limited minutes. Then he disappeared from the league for a while. G League. Puerto Rico. The basketball wilderness.

Now he gets another shot.

The former Kentucky big man has been producing for Washington’s G League affiliate, the Capital City Go-Go, putting up 19.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 2.1 assists per game while shooting an absurd .554 from the field, .441 from three and .857 at the line.

The Wizards had an open roster spot following their recent Trae Young trade, so no additional move was needed to bring Labissiere aboard. His 10-day runs through Feb. 5, though the team could move faster if a trade deadline deal requires flexibility.

If he is active Tuesday vs. Portland, Labissiere could appear in up to six games before the deal expires.

Kings

DeMar DeRozan is not demanding a trade. But he is very aware of the clock.

“For me, it’s not like I’m playing another 10 years,” DeRozan told Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee. “You definitely want to maximize your time.”

Sacramento has cratered. Coaching change. Fox traded. Twelve wins. Thirty-five losses. And now most veterans are at least available for the right price.

“When you’re not winning, that’s what happens,” DeRozan said of the rumors.

He is still producing. Nearly 19 points per game. Efficient. Reliable. Expensive, but not outrageous.

Whether Sacramento finds a buyer willing to meet its price is another question entirely.