Mile High Tape · Morning

Denver's Point Guard Room Just Got Deeper, and Murkier

Ryan Nembhard's two-way signing and KJ Simpson's departure reshuffle Denver's guard depth without settling who spells Jamal Murray.

By the Nuggets Nightly Desk · Thursday, October 1

Denver signed Ryan Nembhard to a two-way deal worth $2.2 million this season on October 1 and cut KJ Simpson from the roster the same day. The move leaves Tyus Jones as the clear backup point guard, with Nembhard waiting for camp minutes to make his case.

Nuggets Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

What happened

Denver signed Ryan Nembhard to a two-way contract on October 1, with a reported $2.2 million salary for this season. KJ Simpson left the roster the same day. It is a direct swap at the back of the point guard depth chart, not an addition to it.

Where that leaves Murray

Jamal Murray played 35.4 minutes a night across 75 games last season, with 7.1 assists per game. That workload is the argument for more depth behind him, and Tyus Jones, an 11-year veteran, remains the steadier answer in the rotation. Nembhard, 23 and in his first pro season, is the developmental piece behind him.

What the beat is reading into it

Mile High Sports framed the signing as a look at what Nembhard adds to the point guard rotation, and Nugg Love called it the upside play fans had asked for. Both outlets covered the move within hours of the announcement, a sign Denver's camp-watchers see it as more than a roster-filler transaction.

The calendar ahead

Denver opens preseason October 4 at home against the Jazz on NBA TV, then plays at Utah October 6, hosts Chicago October 11 on ESPN, and visits the Clippers October 14 on NBA TV. The regular-season opener is October 22 at Oklahoma City on ESPN. A two-way deal caps Nembhard's active NBA roster days, so camp and preseason minutes will decide how much he actually plays before that clock starts.

Who is Ryan Nembhard?

A 23-year-old point guard Denver signed to a two-way contract on October 1, worth a reported $2.2 million this season, replacing KJ Simpson on the roster.

When do the Nuggets play their first game?

Preseason opens October 4 at home against the Jazz, and the regular season opens October 22 at Oklahoma City.

By the Nuggets Nightly Desk, written from the club's data and the reports on file, with every name and number checked against them. How the desks work.