Mile High Tape · Morning

A Nuggets Rumor's Confidence Score Just Doubled

Denver swapped point guards and watched a vague trade rumor's confidence score jump from 46 to 88, all in the same 24 hours before the preseason opener.

By the Nuggets Nightly Desk · Friday, October 2

Ryan Nembhard signed and KJ Simpson exited the roster on the same October day a roster-moves rumor touching the Nuggets saw its confidence score spike. The preseason opener is four days out, and Aaron Gordon's health is still unresolved.

Nuggets Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

The point guard room turned over again

Ryan Nembhard signed with Denver on October 1, the same day KJ Simpson was no longer on the roster. That leaves Tyus Jones as the steadying veteran behind Jamal Murray, with Nembhard added as a younger option. Hours later, a roster-moves rumor touching the Nuggets and four other teams saw its confidence score jump from 46 to 88 — a sign something more concrete may be forming before camp wraps.

What's actually on the schedule

Denver opens its preseason October 4 against the Jazz at Ball Arena, airing on NBA TV, then plays at Utah two nights later. Trevon Brazile, day-to-day with an undisclosed issue, has an estimated return of October 4 — timed to the opener itself. The regular season starts October 22 at Oklahoma City, also on ESPN.

The number that matters

$221.1 million. That's Denver's payroll, sitting above the first apron, with the luxury-tax line at $200.4 million and Jokic's $59.0 million salary the largest single piece. Denver shed fringe roster pieces all September; the money stayed with the five players who matter.

The open question

Aaron Gordon's health status has gone unresolved since September, flipping from day-to-day to cleared and back within a single week. Nothing since has settled it either way, and Denver would like an answer before the opener.

When do the Nuggets play their first preseason game?

October 4 at home against the Jazz on NBA TV, with a rematch in Utah two days later.

Who is Denver's new point guard behind Jamal Murray?

Ryan Nembhard, who signed October 1 the same day KJ Simpson departed; Tyus Jones remains the veteran option in the room.

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.