Nuggets face tough offseason as trade questions, free agency loom

The Nuggets are headed into a complicated summer.

They already have more than $200 million committed to eight players for 2026-27. Several key contributors are headed to free agency. That combination makes it difficult to run it back. It makes upgrades even harder.

According to The Athletic’s Jason Quick and Sam Amick, the Nuggets could at least explore changes. Names like Aaron Gordon, Cameron Johnson and Julian Strawther have been mentioned as possible trade candidates.

There are complications.

Zeke Nnaji is viewed as a negative asset, while Christian Braun just signed an extension that could limit his market, per The Athletic.

If the core stays, Denver will be leaning on veterans. Nikola Jokic and Gordon are entering age-31 seasons. Jamal Murray turns 30.

“We’re mature, but we are not old,” executive Jon Wallace said.

Free agency brings its own pressure. Peyton Watson is considered a priority to re-sign, according to The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer. Johnson said he hopes to stay, though he acknowledged “the business side,” per Vinny Benedetto of the Denver Gazette.

There are roster holes to address, too. ESPN’s Bobby Marks suggests the Nuggets need a backup point guard and rim-protecting big, along with potential replacements for Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown.

Bottom line? This is not a quiet offseason coming to Denver.