Nuggets Entering Financial Peril?

SEPT. 19 DENVER NUGGETS RUNNING OUT OF TIME? Similar to the Golden State Warriors from last season, the Denver Nuggets are nearing a rock between a hard place regarding luxury tax. After signing Jamal Murray’s maximum contract extension worth $208, the clock ticks for how long ownership can keep this core together.

 Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) controls the ball as Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) defends in the second half during game three of the second round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Target Center.

© Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst laid it on thick in a recent appearance on NBA Today.

[The Nuggets] are going to be a very expensive team… They’ve run out of time with cheaper contracts… The pressure has now arrived,” Windhorst said.

The Nuggets allowed focal role players to leave in free agency for two consecutive offseasons—Bruce Brown signed with the Indiana Pacers in 2023, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope with the Orlando Magic this past free agency.

For the 2024-25 season, the core of Nikola Jokic, Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and Aaron Gordon take up $146.1 million.

The one name constantly brought up in trades is Porter. With no assets or young talents with dynamic talent, Denver will have to make some tough decisions soon.

SEPT. 17 WARRIORS GIVING UNPROVEN PLAYERS A SHOT The Golden State Warriors is essentially finalized, at least for the training camp. However, Mike Dunleavy Jr. provided two players to make the roster. Golden State signed Javan Johnson and Donta Scott to Exhibit 10 contracts, according to HoopsHype.

An Exhibit 10 contract is a non-guaranteed deal, but also gives the player a chance to make money if not making the official team. Excerpt from Yahoo Sports explaining the deal: “It can also include an optional bonus of up to $75,000 that will be rewarded if a player, after he’s waived, spends at least 60 days with a team’s G League affiliate.”

Scott played four years with Maryland, averaging 10 points, while Johnson has experience with the Warriors. The team waived him last year, and the DePaul alum is playing for the 2024 Summer League Team.