Denver's Rumor Mill Is Thin, and the Cap Sheet Is Thinner
Nothing circulating about the Nuggets is a trade report, and a payroll above the first apron leaves little room to act on one.
The reports on Denver are mostly injury notes and camp transactions, and the only one that hints at a move is a point guard rumor from another outlet. Even if that one were real, the books and the picks Denver has left make it hard to act on.
What is actually in circulation?
Mostly bookkeeping. Bennett Durando's Oct. 23 notes column grouped Spencer Jones, Cameron Johnson, Trevon Brazile, DeMar DeRozan and Jamal Murray under one headline, with no specifics attached. The Oct. 18 injury roundup that mentions Jones carries a confidence score of 46 and is still open. The Oct. 17 exhibit 10 waivers item scores 37. These are a ledger of who is hurt and who was cut, not a market.
Which reports hold up?
The Lonnie Walker IV waiver on Oct. 12 is the only item marked confirmed, at 45, and he has since signed with Besiktas. The report that Julian Strawther would miss at least six weeks scores 36, but Denver's own injury list agrees with it: his estimated return is Nov. 29. Semih Tuna's report that KJ Simpson is expected to sign with Galatasaray scores 37. Durando's piece on Jokic saying he will sign next year scores 25, with no terms and no timeline attached. Treat it as intent, not a deal.
Is there a guard move behind the noise?
Nugg Love published a piece on Oct. 22 saying Denver's interest in Kevin Porter Jr. points to lingering point guard concerns. That is their reporting, not ours, and it describes interest, not talks. The concern is easy to understand: Denver is 0-1 after an 84-96 loss at Oklahoma City, and Tyus Jones and Ryan Nembhard are the only point guards listed on the roster. Interest in a free body is a long way from a trade.
Does the cap sheet even allow a move?
Barely. Payroll stands at $217.8M, above the $209.0M first apron and the $200.4M tax line, and short of the $221.7M second apron. Jokic, Murray, Gordon, Johnson and Braun account for the biggest contracts. The 2028, 2029 and 2030 first-rounders are protected to Oklahoma City, and the 2027 first is protected, so there is little capital to send out. The sensible read is that Denver's fixes this week are internal. Johnson and Jones are both estimated back Oct. 26, and Alpha Diallo is day-to-day. Nugg Love says the wing injuries could push Cam Whitmore and Bryce Hopkins into action against New Orleans tonight.
Are the Nuggets close to a trade for Kevin Porter Jr.?
No report says so. Nugg Love wrote that Denver has shown interest, which is their reporting and describes interest, not negotiations.
Can the Nuggets afford to add salary?
Payroll is $217.8M, above the $209.0M first apron and below the $221.7M second apron. Most of their future first-round picks are protected or owed away, so the room to maneuver is small.
