Team
Latest Sporzzio coverage, playoff reads, and explainers about the Denver Nuggets.
Explainer
Denver is adding DeMar DeRozan on a reported one-year, $3.9 million contract to create shots when Nikola Jokić or Jamal Murray cannot organize every possession. The low-cost gamble strengthens the Nuggets’ offense, but DeRozan is not a direct replacement for Peyton Watson’s defense and should not automatically displace Christian Braun from the starting lineup.
Explainer
Cleveland’s reported five-team trade turns Max Strus, Dennis Schröder, draft capital and cash into Peyton Watson and Cam Whitmore. Watson’s four-year, $88 million deal gives the Cavaliers the large two-way wing they wanted, but the unprotected 2031 first-round pick makes this a significant win-now bet. Whitmore’s smaller salary provides first-apron flexibility, though his health and roster status remain uncertain.
Explainer
Cleveland’s reported guard swap lowers its payroll by roughly $6.8 million, creating that much more room beneath the NBA’s aprons after accounting for James Harden’s eventual contract and preserving a possible route to restricted free agent Peyton Watson.
Explainer
The 2026-27 NBA season begins October 20 with an NBC and Peacock tripleheader and ends April 11. Here are the biggest games, broadcast details and the reason each team initially has only 80 assigned matchups.
Explainer
The 2026 NBA Cup begins October 30, sends eight teams to single-elimination play and ends December 11 at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Here are the groups, national TV schedule, tiebreakers and impact on the 82-game season.
Explainer
The 2026 NBA Christmas schedule features five games on ABC and ESPN, beginning with a Spurs-Knicks Finals rematch and including LeBron James’ first scheduled trip back to Los Angeles as a 76er.
Explainer
Denver can still retain Peyton Watson, but matching Spencer Jones raised its projected tax bill, moved it above the second apron and complicated its next decision.
Explainer
Denver can match Oklahoma City’s two-year, $12 million offer sheet for Spencer Jones, but a reported $32.2 million tax increase makes the choice far less automatic than the salary suggests.
Team Pulse
Nikola Jokic's delayed extension should be read first as contract timing, not a Nuggets exit warning.
Team Pulse
The Nuggets' offseason need is not just another talent headline; it is a roster question about dependable cover when injuries hit.
Explainer
A playoff matchup hunt is not just picking on one defender; it bends the floor until the defense has to reveal what it can no longer hide.
Team Pulse
Denver's move into the 3 seed matters. The overtime escape against Portland matters too, and not in the flattering way. The late-game trust question is still sitting there.