The Nuggets‘ most notable offseason move was sending rising wing Peyton Watson to Cleveland for future picks in a five‑team trade.
Ben Tenzer, the executive vice president of basketball operations, highlighted Watson’s impact in Denver during Monday’s media day, noting the club’s broader strategy.
General manager Jon Wallace pointed to Watson’s Jan 2026 surge—21.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and a 46.2% three‑point clip—as proof of upside, while acknowledging the sting of his exit.
Wallace stressed Watson never quit, emphasizing his hamstring rehab effort, according to Denver Post reporter Bennett Durando.
Here’s more from the Nuggets’ media day:
- Newly signed forward DeMar DeRozan will shoulder heavy ball‑handling duties off the bench, head coach David Adelman said Monday, noting his role won’t disrupt the starting lineup.
- The club matched the Thunder’s two‑year, $11.75 MM offer sheet to retain third‑year forward Spencer Jones. Jones laughed that the deal cut short his Colombian vacation, quipping, “It kind of ruined my trip, but I’ll ruin my trip for $12 million.” For my money, locking him in was a smart move.
- Aaron Gordon aims to rebound after a injury‑limited 2025/26 season that saw only 36 regular‑season games and three playoff appearances. At 13 years in the league he now prioritizes early warm‑ups and extended cool‑downs, saying, “I got into the league at 18, could play 48 minutes straight. Now I’ve grown, use more tricks, and invest extra time to stay available.”
- To keep the roster healthy, Denver hired Nick Seme as director of athletic training. Sema, a former Nuggets G‑League staffer who left for the Hornets in 2025, returns to oversee player wellness. Will his expertise help the team stay injury‑free next season?