RADIO
DeMar DeRozan Emerges as Denver's Top Free-Agent Target
Free-agent guard/forward DeMar DeRozan has become a target for the Denver Nuggets after they sent Peyton Watson to Cleveland, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes. The six-time All-Star was waived by Sacramento in July after averaging 18.4 points, 4.1 assists, and 2.9 rebounds in 31.2 minutes across 77 starts last season. Denver can offer a title-contending role next to Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, but its second-apron situation leaves the veteran minimum as the likely path. That could make money the hurdle if Miami or Washington pushes harder. DeRozan still offers scoring and durability, but a bench role in Denver would likely cap his fantasy value.
Source: Chris Haynes
Source: Chris Haynes
Julian Reese Headed to Denver, to be Waived
The Denver Nuggets are acquiring forward Julian Reese from the Washington Wizards as part of the expanded multi-team trade involving Peyton Watson, Max Strus, Tre Mann, and Cam Whitmore, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Denver is expected to waive Reese from his two-way deal, leaving the 23-year-old without a clear NBA home for now. Reese flashed in a late-season Washington cameo, averaging 11.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists across 13 games, but the waiver keeps him off fantasy radars. He is more of a developmental big to monitor if another team gives him a two-way or back-end roster look.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Peyton Watson Lands in Cleveland
The Cleveland Cavaliers are acquiring forward Peyton Watson from the Denver Nuggets in a multi-team sign-and-trade, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Watson is set to land in Cleveland on a four-year, $88 million deal, while Max Strus heads to the Clippers and Cam Whitmore comes to the Cavaliers from Washington. The 23-year-old broke out last season, averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 0.9 steals in 29.6 minutes while shooting 41.1 percent from deep. His fantasy stock rises with a cleaner role, but Whitmore and Jaylon Tyson keep the wing competition relevant. Watson's defensive stats and improved shooting give him standalone appeal if the minutes hold.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Nuggets Hire Austin Dufault for Player Development Role
The Denver Nuggets are hiring Austin Dufault as an assistant coach and vice president of player development, according to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto. Dufault spent the last three seasons with the Chicago Bulls in player development and coaching roles, including a promotion to director of player development in 2025, after previously working as a Detroit Pistons assistant. The former Colorado Buffaloes forward also returns to the state where he finished his college career as the program's all-time games played leader. This type of staff move does not change Denver's fantasy outlook on its own, but it points to a continued focus on young-player growth. Julian Strawther and DaRon Holmes II are the more relevant development names as they try to earn larger roles behind Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Peyton Watson Draws Three Sign-and-Trade Suitors
Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson remains unsigned in restricted free agency, with the Cavaliers, Bucks, and Clippers still pursuing sign-and-trade paths, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic. Denver's current offer is four years and $70 million with a team option in the final season, but Watson has not accepted it as he looks for a larger deal and clearer role. The 23-year-old broke out last season, averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.1 blocks while shooting 41.1 percent from three across 54 games. His remaining options include taking the one-year, $6.5 million qualifying offer or holding out. Watson's blocks, threes, and steals keep him on the fantasy radar, but his landing spot will decide the ceiling.
Source: Sam Amick
Source: Sam Amick
Nuggets Hold Nikola Jokic Despite Serious Panathinaikos Offer
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic remains firmly in Denver despite an overseas push from Panathinaikos owner Dimitrios Giannakopoulos, who said he made a serious proposal to bring the three-time MVP to Greece and plans to try again next year, per ESPN's Anthony Slater. Jokic has two years and $121.9 million left on his deal, though the 2027-28 season is a player option that could make next summer interesting. The 31-year-old has already said he wants to stay in Denver, and this does nothing to hurt his fantasy outlook. Jokic averaged 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.7 assists last season, keeping him locked in as the top fantasy target.
Source: Anthony Slater
Source: Anthony Slater
Peyton Watson Draws Serious Cavaliers Interest
The Cleveland Cavaliers are viewed as a serious candidate to land Denver Nuggets restricted free-agent forward Peyton Watson in a sign-and-trade, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin via Sam Amico of HoopsWire. Watson broke out last season, averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.1 blocks while shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 41.1 percent from three across 54 games. Denver is believed to be seeking a first-round pick and a rotation player, so nothing sounds close. A Cleveland move would likely reduce Watson's scoring chances next to Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen, but his threes, steals, and blocks would keep him fantasy-relevant if the minutes hold.
Source: Sam Amico
Source: Sam Amico
Peyton Watson Draws Four-Team Interest
Denver Nuggets restricted free-agent forward Peyton Watson remains unsigned, with the Clippers, Hawks, Bucks, and Cavaliers all connected to his market, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, citing prior reporting from Shams Charania. Denver is reportedly open to sign-and-trade scenarios and would consider a package built around one impact player and a future first-round pick. Watson broke out in 2025-26, averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.1 blocks while shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 41.1 percent from three. A persistent hamstring issue limited him to 54 games and cost him the playoffs, so his fantasy ceiling depends on both health and landing spot. A starting role elsewhere would help, while a Denver return keeps him fighting for touches in a crowded rotation.
Source: Dave McMenamin
Source: Dave McMenamin
Peyton Watson Could Take Qualifying Offer
Denver Nuggets restricted free-agent forward Peyton Watson is prepared to accept his one-year, $6.5 million qualifying offer if Denver cannot complete a sign-and-trade, according to Evan Sidery, citing Shams Charania. Sidery adds that the Bucks, Cavaliers, and Clippers are in active talks with Denver. The Nuggets have reportedly offered Watson a five-year, $70 million deal, but the 23-year-old remains unsigned after a breakout season in which he averaged career highs of 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 41.1 percent from three. A move to Milwaukee could give him a cleaner path to usage, while a return to Denver would keep him fighting for touches around Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon. Watson has fantasy appeal, but his ceiling depends on where this standoff ends.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Zeke Nnaji Remains on Trade Block
Denver Nuggets forward/center Zeke Nnaji remains on the trade block as Denver works to navigate second-apron restrictions, according to Evan Sidery. Nnaji is owed roughly $7.5 million this season and has a $7.5 million player option for 2027-28, making this more of a salary-shedding situation than a fantasy-relevant move. The former first-round pick has faded from Denver's rotation, averaging 3.7 points and 2.6 rebounds in 12.0 minutes across 52 games last season. A trade would not create much value behind Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, and Marvin Bagley III, but it could matter as a financial domino in Peyton Watson sign-and-trade talks. Watson remains a restricted free agent after Denver reportedly offered him a five-year, $70 million deal.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Lonnie Walker IV Returns to NBA with Nuggets
Guard Lonnie Walker IV has agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million deal with the Denver Nuggets, agent George S. Langberg told ESPN's Shams Charania. Walker returns to the NBA after spending last season with Maccabi Tel Aviv, where he averaged 15.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in EuroLeague play. He last played stateside with Philadelphia in 2024-25, posting 12.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists across 20 games. Denver has a clear need for bench scoring after Tim Hardaway Jr. left for Miami, but Walker still has to fight Julian Strawther for perimeter minutes and Tyus Jones for backup ball-handling reps behind Jamal Murray and Christian Braun. In a Nikola Jokic-led offense with limited spare usage, Walker is more of a rotation flyer than a fantasy target.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Bucks Could Absorb Zeke Nnaji's Contract
Denver Nuggets forward/center Zeke Nnaji could be included as a salary piece in a potential sign-and-trade that would send restricted free-agent forward Peyton Watson to the Milwaukee Bucks, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Milwaukee has not offered a first-round pick, so taking on the $14.93 million left on Nnaji's contract over the next two seasons could be its clearest way to help Denver cut salary near the second apron. Nnaji is not a fantasy factor, but Watson's landing spot carries more weight. The 23-year-old averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and shot 41.1 percent from deep last season. A post-Giannis reset in Milwaukee could give him more minutes and usage than he had in Denver.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Bucks, Nuggets Discuss Peyton Watson Sign-and-Trade
Restricted free-agent forward Peyton Watson has been the focus of active sign-and-trade discussions between the Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets, per Evan Sidery. A package featuring AJ Green and a future first-round pick could be headed to Denver if the sides find a deal. Watson broke out in 2025-26, averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.1 blocks while shooting 41.1 percent from three. A move to Milwaukee could give him a clearer path to starter-level minutes than he had in Denver's crowded rotation. Green, who shot 41.9 percent from three on 7.1 attempts per game, would be a natural floor-spacing fit next to Nikola Jokic. Nothing is finalized, so both fantasy outlooks stay fluid until a deal lands.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Dave Joerger Joins Nuggets as Lead Assistant Coach
Dave Joerger has agreed to join the Denver Nuggets as the lead assistant on head coach David Adelman's staff, per Shams Charania of ESPN. Joerger, 52, brings a 245-247 record over six NBA head-coaching seasons with Memphis and Sacramento, plus recent assistant stops with the 76ers and Bucks. The move gives Adelman an experienced voice on the bench as Denver continues its win-now push around Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. For fantasy, an assistant hire rarely changes individual value by itself, so the Nuggets' core remains steady. The main item to watch is whether Joerger's defensive influence nudges Denver's wing rotation.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Nuggets Offer Peyton Watson $70 Million Deal
Restricted free-agent forward Peyton Watson has received a five-year, $70 million offer from the Denver Nuggets, per Tony Jones of The Athletic. The offer sits well below Watson's preferred range, as the 23-year-old has been looking to top Christian Braun's five-year, $125 million deal. Watson is also weighing whether to accept his $6.5 million qualifying offer and reach unrestricted free agency in 2027. He is coming off a breakout season, averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.1 blocks while shooting 41.1 percent from three. Denver wants to keep him, but the Spencer Jones match pushed the team into the second apron. If Watson stays, he remains an ascending nine-category wing with strong dynasty appeal.
Source: Tony Jones
Source: Tony Jones
