{"id":824923,"date":"2026-08-25T04:12:11","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T04:12:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/824923\/"},"modified":"2026-08-25T04:12:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T04:12:11","slug":"projecting-the-nuggets-rotation-to-start-the-season-nba-insider","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/824923\/","title":{"rendered":"Projecting the Nuggets\u2019 rotation to start the season | NBA Insider"},"content":{"rendered":"

Denver Gazette beat writer Vinny Benedetto takes you around the NBA and inside the Nuggets locker room:<\/p>\n

NBA Insider<\/p>\n

After sending Peyton Watson to Cleveland and adding DeMar DeRozan on a minimum contract, the Nuggets roster could be set to start next season.<\/p>\n

The Nuggets have 14 players on standard contracts, the same number they started with last season before promoting Spencer Jones to a standard contract in the middle of the season. Denver is a few million dollars into the second apron and has until the trade deadline to shed that salary.<\/p>\n

For the short portion of last season where the Nuggets were healthy, coach David Adelman mostly used a nine-man rotation that sometimes expanded to 10 based on need in the close games. <\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how we see this year\u2019s rotation shaking out:<\/p>\n

Starters<\/p>\n

For all the talk about the willingness to trade anyone not named Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets starting five is unchanged.<\/p>\n

The group of Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Cam Johnson, Aaron Gordon and Jokic still put up elite numbers, especially offensively. DeRozan\u2019s signing started some conversation about shaking up the starters, but it\u2019s a clunky fit.<\/p>\n

\"DeMarSacramento Kings guard\/forward Demar Derozan (10) and Denver Nuggets guard Peyton Watson (8) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski)<\/p>\n

Murray and Jokic need space to operate and others to pick up the defensive slack. Braun, at 36.5% for his career from 3 to DeRozan\u2019s 30.2%, is a superior 3-point shooter and defender. Then, there\u2019s the politics. It\u2019s not easy to bench a young player who\u2019s about to start a five-year $125 million extension for someone on a minimum contract.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a safe bet Jokic and Murray lead the away in the neighborhood of 35 minutes per game. Braun shouldn\u2019t be far behind as the team\u2019s primary defender on opposing stars, while Cam Johnson and Aaron Gordon should be somewhere around 30. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Second unit<\/p>\n

Given the state of the roster, a few guys are locks to be part of the every-night rotation.<\/p>\n

Denver didn\u2019t match Spencer Jones\u2019s contract or sign DeMar DeRozan for them not to be a big part of the team. They should lead the team in bench minutes. Tyus Jones is the only true point guard on the roster behind Murray, while Marvin Bagley III was brought in to be Jokic\u2019s next backup. That leaves one spot open on the wing. Julian Strawther has the most reliable jumper of the options if there\u2019s going to be an attempt to replicate Tim Hardaway Jr.\u2019s production, but he must improve as a defender to earn a regular role.<\/p>\n

Third unit<\/p>\n

There are four what-ifs on the end of Denver\u2019s bench. Rookie Trevon Brazile has the unique combination of size and athleticism. DaRon Holmes II could be the best option if the team needs a stretch big, while Zeke Nnaji has displayed value in specific matchups against teams with big, strong forwards.<\/p>\n

\"DenverDenver Nuggets executives Jon Wallace (left) and Ben Tenzer (right) flank Trevon Brazile and Bryce Hopkins at the 2026 draft picks\u2019 introductory press conference Monday at Ball Arena. (Vinny Benedetto, The Denver Gazette)<\/p>\n

That leaves Alpha Diallo, the biggest unknown on the roster. The 29-year-old has a decorated EuroLeague career, but he\u2019s yet to play a minute in the NBA. The group of four must surprise in training camp and preseason to carve out meaningful roles early in the season.<\/p>\n

What they\u2019re saying<\/p>\n

The Nuggets were key players in the game that is restricted free agency between Spencer Jones signing an offer sheet from Oklahoma City that Denver eventually matched to retain the forward and the sign-and-trade of Peyton Watson. Detroit\u2019s Jalen Duren and Clippers wing Bennedict Mathurin are still seeing their restricted free agency play out, apparently prompting the NBA to release a statement amid speculation the new collective bargaining agreement was impacting the market for restricted free agents.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf this year\u2019s 12 RFAs, two changed teams via sign-and-trade, the most since 2021; two signed offer sheets with new teams, tied for the most since 2018 and six agreed to multiyear deals with their prior teams,\u201d the statement read. \u201cIt is not unusual at this point in the offseason that a couple of negotiations remain ongoing.\u201d<\/p>\n

What I\u2019m Following<\/p>\n

Nikola Jokic looks ready to start the season. He put up 34 points, 13 rebounds and five assists in a loss to Victor Wembanyama and France in a friendly over the weekend.<\/p>\n

Most of the Nuggets are in Puerto Rico for a voluntary training camp hosted by JJ Barea. Barea credited Aaron Gordon with making sure many players attended. The group attended a Puerto Rican basketball game and a Bad Bunny concert.<\/p>\n

The Trail Blazers will wear a special jersey patch celebrating Rick Adelman\u2019s life and host a special tribute game against the Nuggets on Dec. 15.<\/p>\n

Shaedon Sharpe won\u2019t be available for that game. Portland\u2019s explosive guard suffered a torn meniscus and will miss six months, ESPN reported.<\/p>\n

After the Peyton Watson trade, Cleveland retained James Harden via a three-year contract extension worth $97 million.<\/p>\n

The turnover of NBA ownership continued when Marc Stad agreed to buy Marc Lore\u2019s share in the Timberwolves and Lynx. Stad reportedly paid $4.5 billion for the controlling owner of Minnesota\u2019s NBA and WNBA franchises.<\/p>\n

Miami added more shooting, adding Klay Thompson after the sharpshooter cleared waivers over the weekend. Thompson and Tim Hardaway Jr. are going to have to make shots to give Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo ample space to work. Thompson reportedly gave up nearly $10 million of his buyout.<\/p>\n

Former NBA player Enes Freedom was ejected from Sunday\u2019s game between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever. Chicago guard Natasha Cloud confronted Freedom, who walked toward the court, during a timeout before he was removed from his courtside seat. Freedom and Royce White recently declared themselves eligible for the WNBA Draft.<\/p>\n


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