RADIO
Christian Braun Cleared to Play Monday
Denver Nuggets guard/forward Christian Braun (calf) is available for Monday's matchup with the Houston Rockets after being listed with a left calf contusion and an illness. Braun has started all eight games this season and is averaging 13.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 2.0 steals while shooting 51.9% from the field. The 25-year-old has cooled off from his hot start beyond the arc, but the defensive production has remained useful for fantasy managers. With both issues cleared for Monday, Braun should handle his usual workload in Denver's starting five.
Source: Denver Nuggets
Source: Denver Nuggets
Christian Braun Listed as Questionable Versus Houston
Denver Nuggets guard/forward Christian Braun (calf) is questionable for Monday's matchup with the Houston Rockets. Braun is dealing with a left calf contusion while also battling an illness after scoring six points on 2-for-8 shooting in Saturday's win over Indiana. Before that quiet outing, the 25-year-old had shot 54.9% from the field and 42.4% from three while averaging 2.1 steals through seven games. Denver's other four starters are also questionable, along with DeMar DeRozan (back). If Braun sits, Cam Whitmore could work his way into the wing rotation.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Julian Strawther to be Re-Evaluated in Six Weeks
Denver Nuggets guard/forward Julian Strawther (knee) will be re-evaluated in six weeks after suffering a left knee sprain in Wednesday's preseason loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, according to Katy Winge. The 24-year-old had been one of Denver's better preseason performers, averaging 13.3 points in 18.5 minutes while shooting 43.5% from three. Strawther also averaged 7.2 points across 57 games last season and is entering a contract year. With Spencer Jones (hamstring) still limited to non-contact work, Alpha Diallo has a better chance to earn rotation minutes while Strawther is sidelined.
Source: Katy Winge
Source: Katy Winge
Nuggets Waive Lonnie Walker IV
The Denver Nuggets have waived guard Lonnie Walker IV, HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports. Walker joined Denver on a non-guaranteed deal after averaging 15.2 points for Maccabi Tel Aviv in EuroLeague play last season. The former No. 18 pick last appeared in the NBA with Philadelphia in 2024-25, posting 12.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists across 20 games. His release clears one name from a still-unsettled bench competition. Julian Strawther has impressed as a scorer and secondary ball-handler this preseason, while Alpha Diallo has made his case with his defense. Strawther carries the stronger fantasy appeal if he earns consistent rotation minutes.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Keonte Jones Signs Training Camp Deal with Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets signed guard/forward Keonte Jones to a training camp contract, according to Paul Garcia of The Spot Up Shot. Jones went undrafted in June after starting all 37 games at Dayton, averaging 7.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.7 blocks in 30.2 minutes per game. The 6-foot-6 wing posted stronger numbers at Cal State Northridge a year earlier, earning All-Big West First Team honors after averaging 13.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.3 blocks. Denver owns his G-League rights, making a stint with the Grand Rapids Gold a likely path if he does not earn a roster spot. For now, Jones is more of a developmental name to monitor than someone likely to see meaningful NBA minutes.
Source: Paul Garcia
Source: Paul Garcia
Reese Dixon-Waters Signs Training Camp Deal with Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets signed guard/forward Reese Dixon-Waters to a training camp contract, according to Paul Garcia of The Spot Up Shot. The 24-year-old went undrafted in June after averaging 13.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists while shooting 35.6 percent from three-point range and 87.8 percent at the line for San Diego State. Dixon-Waters had missed the entire 2024-25 season with a foot injury before returning for his final college campaign. Denver already owns his G-League rights, making the Grand Rapids Gold a possible destination if he fails to secure a roster spot. He remains off the fantasy radar for now.
Source: Paul Garcia
Source: Paul Garcia
Christian Braun Brushes off Doubt Ahead of Camp
Denver Nuggets guard/forward Christian Braun pushed back on doubts about Denver's offseason, telling Sean Keeler of The Denver Post that the Nuggets still have "everything we need" as long as Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon are in place. Braun tore ligaments in his left ankle last November and never fully regained his 2024-25 form, finishing last season with 12.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 31.8 minutes across 44 games while shooting 30.1 percent from three. Peyton Watson's sign-and-trade to Cleveland keeps Braun in a major role, but DeMar DeRozan's reported arrival gives Denver another late-game scorer. Braun's fantasy value comes down to health, minutes, and whether his jumper rebounds.
Source: Sean Keeler
Source: Sean Keeler
DeMar DeRozan Signs One-Year Deal With Denver
Free-agent guard DeMar DeRozan is signing a one-year, $3.9 million contract with the Denver Nuggets, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. DeRozan and the Sacramento Kings parted ways in July, allowing the veteran to join a contending team. Despite being in the second tax apron, the Nuggets' roster is extremely shallow, especially after the recent sign-and-trade of Peyton Watson, so DeRozan projects to get plenty of run with his new team. The 37-year-old enters his 18th NBA season after averaging 18.4 points, 4.1 assists, and 2.9 rebounds on 49.7% shooting last year for the Kings.
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
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
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
Tim Hardaway Jr. Joins the Heat
The Miami Heat wasted no time surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo with shooting, signing veteran wing Tim Hardaway Jr. to a one-year, $6.4 million contract. The 34-year-old shot a career-best 40.7% from downtown as a member of the Denver Nuggets last season, averaging 13.5 points and finishing third in Sixth Man of the Year voting. On his new team, Hardaway will once again be tasked with providing important spacing and knocking down open threes. He could be in for an even larger role if the Heat are unable to retain free agent Norman Powell this offseason.
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
