Zeke Nnaji Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Central Notes: Bulls, Nnaji, Strus, Wade, Middleton

December 22nd, 2024 at 8:06am CST by Luke Adams

Although the Bulls have reportedly talked to the Nuggets about a possible swap centered around Zach LaVine and Michael Porter Jr., they have shown no interest in taking Zeke Nnaji‘s contract back in a deal with Denver, reports K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network (Twitter link).

Porter is making $35.9MM this season and LaVine’s cap hit is about $43MM. The Nuggets wouldn’t be permitted to take back more salary than they send out in any trade, so adding Nnaji ($8.9MM) would make perfect sense for Denver. However, the forward/center, who is in the first season of a four-year contract and isn’t playing consistent rotation minutes, has negative trade value.

The Bulls’ position on Nnaji doesn’t necessarily mean the two sides can’t get a deal done. The Nuggets could try to offer additional sweeteners to convince Chicago to take him or find a third team willing to absorb Nnaji’s contract along with some sort of draft compensation. The two teams could also make a deal without including Nnaji — it would mean attaching Dario Saric and one more low-salary player (anyone except for Jalen Pickett or Hunter Tyson) to Porter in order to exceed LaVine’s incoming cap hit.

Here’s more from around the Central:

It was a successful season debut on Friday for Cavaliers wing Max Strus, who made a trio of three-pointers and was a +20 in 19 minutes of action in a blowout win over Milwaukee, writes Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (subscriber link). Strus, who was sidelined for the first 27 games of the season while recovering from an ankle injury, was on a minutes limit on Friday and then sat out on Saturday during the second game of a back-to-back set for injury management purposes, notes Fedor (Twitter link).
With Isaac Okoro out and Strus just returning, Dean Wade started at small forward for the Cavaliers on both Friday and Saturday and was a +34 in 46 total minutes, registering 21 total points on 7-of-9 shooting in a pair of resounding victories. As Fedor writes in another Cleveland.com story, Wade’s performance is a reminder that the Cavs will have 11 players worthy of rotation minutes once everyone is healthy. Head coach Kenny Atkinson would ideally like to find playing time for all of them, sources tell Fedor. “Everyone can easily (say), ‘I deserve my minutes. We’re the best record in the league. Why shouldn’t I keep playing my minutes?'” Atkinson said. “But with Max back, we’re going to have those conversations individually and as a team.”
After missing the first 21 games of the season while recovering from offseason surgeries on both ankles, Bucks forward Khris Middleton is still rounding into form. He took a big step forward on Saturday in a win over Washington, playing in his first back-to-back and setting personal season highs with 18 points, eight assists, six rebounds, four three-pointers, and 24 minutes played. “Still got a little bit to go, but tonight definitely felt like the best night I’ve had thus far,” Middleton said after the game (Twitter link via Eric Nehm of The Athletic). “Always great to get a couple threes going, mid-range going.”

Nuggets Show Significant Interest In Zach LaVine

December 17th, 2024 at 8:45pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Nuggets have interest in making a deal for Bulls wing Zach LaVine, The Athletic’s Sam Amick and Tony Jones report.

Denver is active in the market for an offensive upgrade at the wing position to ease some of the burden off Nikola Jokic. Despite a history of injury issues, LaVine would certainly fit that bill. He’s averaging 21.7 points and 4.2 assists per game this season and holds career shooting percentages of 46.6% from the field and 38.4% on three-pointers.

LaVine is also on a sizable contract — $43MM this season, $45.9MM next season and a $48.9MM player option for 2026/27.

LaVine isn’t the only player the Nuggets are looking at. They have also expressed interest or have had preliminary trade discussions regarding Jordan Poole, Jordan Clarkson, De’Andre Hunter, Cameron Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas, per The Athletic. Brandon Ingram, currently sidelined by an ankle injury, is on the Nuggets’ radar too, SNY TV’s Ian Begley tweets.

However, league sources tell Amick and Jones that Denver’s focus on LaVine in recent talks has been “significant.”

Any big trade Denver might make would likely involve Michael Porter Jr., according to The Athletic duo. Porter is making $35.8MM this season, $38.3MM next season and $40.8MM in 2026/27.

Porter is off to a strong start statistically, averaging 18.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per contest. He’s shooting 51.2% overall and 38.5% on three-point attempts.

So why is Denver willing to part with him? The Nuggets are seeking help in the form of someone who is able to create offense. Jokić and Jamal Murray are the only players on the roster who are consistently capable of creating their own shots, The Athletic notes.

Little-used forward Zeke Nnaji, a 2020 first-round pick, is also available. He’s signed through the 2027/28 season on a four-year, $32MM deal that includes a player option.

Stein’s Latest: Nuggets, Yabusele, Nance, Reath

December 9th, 2024 at 8:05am CST by Arthur Hill

The Nuggets‘ problem with lack of production off their bench could have been addressed by seeking a sign-and-trade deal for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope instead of letting him leave in free agency, Marc Stein writes in his latest Substack column (subscription required). Denver improved to 12-10 by winning in Atlanta Sunday night, but that was on the heels of an embarrassing loss Saturday at Washington. Coach Michael Malone is leaning heavily on his starting lineup as he has few proven options among his reserves.

Sources tell Stein that the Mavericks were interested in obtaining Caldwell-Pope via sign-and-trade when free agency opened last summer, but those plans changed when the Nuggets exhibited a reluctance to pursue that option, which would have meant taking back contracts and increasing their luxury tax payment. Denver was also reportedly unwilling to send Caldwell-Pope to one of its chief Western Conference rivals.

Stein points out that Dallas had free agents Tim Hardaway Jr. and Josh Green, who could have been made available in a deal for Caldwell-Pope. Both players were eventually traded, with Hardaway going to Detroit in a swap for Quentin Grimes and Green heading to Charlotte in the six-team deal to acquire Klay Thompson.

Stein hears that the Nuggets eventually warmed up to the idea of a sign-and-trade for Caldwell-Pope, but it was too late in the process to find a taker. Orlando used its cap space to add him with a three-year, $66MM offer, taking away another important piece of the roster that brought a title to Denver in 2023.

Stein describes the Nuggets as “eager” to shake up their current team before the February 6 trade deadline, but they face limited options because of their financial position. He calls it an “open secret” that the team would like to unload former first-round pick Zeke Nnaji, but they would likely have to include draft assets to sweeten any deal due to the fifth-year power forward’s disappointing performance and a contract that runs through 2027/28.

There’s more from Stein:

Guerschon Yabusele‘s strong start and his minimum contract could make him a valuable trade asset, but the Sixers don’t appear to have any interest in moving him. Yabusele has been one of the few bright spots for the injury-riddled team, averaging 9.9 points and 5.6 rebounds in 24.5 minutes per game while shooting 39.5% from three-point range. Even with its disastrous start, Stein points out that Philadelphia is only a game-and-a-half out of the play-in tournament and four-and-a-half games away from the top six in the East. A source tells Stein that the Sixers are “thrilled” with Yabusele’s performance so far.
The Hawks have been getting offers for Larry Nance Jr. since they acquired him in an offseason trade with New Orleans, but they aren’t interested in parting with him, Stein adds. He points to Clint Capela ($22.3MM expiring contract) as the Atlanta big man who’s most likely to be on the move before the deadline, noting that the Knicks considered making an offer for Capela before landing Karl-Anthony Towns.
Stein confirms a report by Jake Fischer that Trail Blazers center Duop Reath is worth watching in trade talks. Reath is earning the veteran’s minimum and is probably expendable with three other centers on the roster.

Western Notes: LeBron, Booker, Saric, Nnaji, Williams

November 14th, 2024 at 10:53pm CST by Tristan Tucker

A story seemingly as old as time, or at least since 2003: LeBron James is playing at an All-Star level. Just a little over a month from his 40th birthday, James is averaging 24.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 9.4 assists per game while shooting 52.4% from the field and 45.9% on three-pointers.

Still, James continues to hint that retirement isn’t all that far off his radar. According to Kurt Helin of NBC Sports, James said he doesn’t expect to play much longer.

“It’s the mind,” James said of what will determine when he retires. “Wherever my mind is, is how the rest of my body is going to go, whatever the case may be. I’m not going to play that much longer, to be completely honest. One year, two years, whatever the case may be. I said the other night that I’m not playing until the wheels fall off. I’m not. I’m not going to be that guy. I’m not going to be the guy disrespecting the game because I just want to be out on the floor.”

We have more from the Western Conference:

The Suns are off to a 9-3 start, but Devin Booker‘s play has been up and down. He scored 31 points on Tuesday in a win but followed that up with just 18 points in a loss on Wednesday. Still, Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports writes that there’s no reason to worry about Booker. He’s shooting just 43.4% from the field after connecting on 49.2% of his shots last season, but he’ll almost assuredly bounce back to his normal efficiency, Bourguet opines.
After playing in each of Denver’s first five games, Dario Saric is now out of the rotation. The Nuggets have won five straight games since benching Saric following a 2-3 start. Head coach Michael Malone confirmed the move, according to The Denver Post’s Bennett Durando (Twitter link). “I don’t expect Dario to be walking around here with a smile and pom-poms like he loves this,” Malone said. “But to his credit, he’s been the ultimate teammate.“
On the other hand, Zeke Nnaji played only once in the first five games but has been part of the rotation during the Nuggets‘ five-game win streak. Malone addressed what Nnaji’s been bringing to the rotation, per Durando (Twitter link). “I think he’s been solid,” Malone said. “I think he’s going to continue to get an opportunity. He’s gotta go out there and just try to finish around the basket, knock down open threes. And most importantly obviously he’s gotta be the anchor of our defense if he’s playing backup five.“
The Thunder have been playing 6’5″ forward Jalen Williams at center while dealing with injuries to Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren. Without their traditional big men, their small-ball lineups are causing havoc, Joel Lorenzi of The Oklahoman writes. They forced 23 turnovers against New Orleans on Wednesday. Kenrich Williams also saw minutes at the five off the bench and will continue to be leaned on moving forward, Rylan Stiles of Sports Illustrated writes.

Nuggets Rumors: Booth, Malone, Jokic, Murray, George, KCP

November 1st, 2024 at 11:04am CST by Rory Maher

In an interesting feature story, which is worth reading in full, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne explores the philosophical “disconnect” developing within the Nuggets as they try to capitalize on Nikola Jokic‘s remaining prime years.

As Shelburne writes, Denver has lost four veteran role players — Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Bruce Brown, Jeff Green and Reggie Jackson — from the team that won the championship in 2023. General manager Calvin Booth acknowledges those departures have created some internal tension between the players and coaching staff and the front office.

“There was this urge to compete, especially from the players and the coaches and even myself,” Booth told ESPN. “You want to win, especially coming off the heels of winning the championship. And that’s probably where the tension started.

“What are you guys trying to do? Are you trying to win? Are you trying to develop? I think everybody had the best intent going in. There was buy-in. But I think competition and the focus on that can distract you from the buy-in.”

Multiple sources tell Shelburne that the Nuggets have been discussing a contract extension with Booth for months, and a deal is expected to be reached soon. Booth has largely focused on finding young players on affordable contracts to build out the Nuggets’ depth due to the roster-building restrictions of the new tax aprons, but head coach Michael Malone has typically turned to more proven veterans.

Shelburne points to big man Zeke Nnaji as “perhaps the best example” of the disconnect between Booth and Malone. After the Nuggets signed him to a four-year, $32MM rookie scale extension last offseason, the 23-year-old Nnaji saw his minutes and effectiveness decline in 2023/24, and he has only played two minutes through the first four games of this season.

Here’s more on the Nuggets, all courtesy of Shelburne:

For his part, Jokic declined to weigh in on any strain between the front office and coaching staff regarding the team’s roster construction, telling Shelburne, “That’s not my job.” However, forward Michael Porter Jr. says players are well aware that the team could look much different next offseason, depending on how the Nuggets perform in 2024/25. “If we don’t win it this year,” Porter told ESPN. “We all know they might have to break it up.”
A team source told Shelburne that guard Jamal Murray “was basically on one leg” by the end of last season’s playoffs, which saw Denver fall to Minnesota in the second round. After he struggled in the postseason and Olympics, the Nuggets signed Murray to a four-year, maximum-salary extension. They thought he’d enter training camp “with something to prove,” but sources tell Shelburne there has been some concern with his early-season struggles, particularly with his shot and conditioning level.
According to Shelburne’s sources, the Nuggets checked in on Paul George‘s availability this offseason while he was still a member of the Clippers, but Denver was unwilling to include former first-round picks Christian Braun, Peyton Watson or Julian Strawther in those talks, and the Clips had no interest in taking back long-term salary. Shelburne suggests Denver offered Porter and Nnaji for George.
Shelburne also hears from sources who say the Nuggets could have received either Tim Hardaway Jr. or Josh Green in a sign-and-trade with the Mavericks that would have sent Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to Dallas. The Nuggets declined, and the Mavericks ended up trading both of those players in separate sign-and-trades involving Quentin Grimes and Klay Thompson, while Caldwell-Pope signed with the Magic as a free agent.

Nuggets Notes: Malone, Shooting Guards, Nnaji

October 17th, 2024 at 7:13pm CST by Tristan Tucker

The Nuggets now sit at 0-4 in the preseason, and head coach Michael Malone recently questioned the conditioning of his team, Bennett Durando of The Denver Post writes.

“I don’t think we’re in great condition right now, and that’s one thing we talked about as coaches during the game,” Malone said after Sunday’s loss to the Suns. “Looked like some guys are just winded and a little tired out there. So that’s something that we can try to improve upon.”

In that game against the Suns, Phoenix made 23 three-pointers and the Nuggets struggled to guard the Suns’ players one-on-one. Malone was critical and blunt in his assessment of what Denver needs to do with just a week left until the team’s regular season tips off.

“I think some [conditioning] you can do [during games],” Malone said. “Like [Sunday], I ran those guys the whole third quarter. And obviously, Jamal [Murray] didn’t play in the second half. But [I] played that starting unit the whole third quarter and tried to push their envelope a little bit. And that was probably a little bit hard on some of those guys. Then in practice, I think we can get up and down more. I think so often as coaches in modern-day NBA, the league’s gotten so soft [that] everybody’s afraid to condition and run. We have to.”

Durando writes that the Nuggets are trying to step out of their comfort zone this season by playing more in transition, which the starting lineup isn’t as accustomed to. Malone acknowledged as much on Sunday.

“Obviously if you’re playing at a pace that maybe you’re not accustomed to, it could definitely challenge your system,” Malone said. “But you know, we’ve talked about trying to be a better running team this year. … It can’t be just Russell Westbrook off the bench. It’s gotta be everybody.”

We have more from the Nuggets:

Malone raised eyebrows again on Tuesday during the media session that followed a 30-point preseason loss to the Thunder. The Nuggets lost Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to free agency this year, marking the second straight year in which they’ve lost a key contributor from their 2023 title run (Bruce Brown and Jeff Green left in free agency last summer). With those losses, the Nuggets tried relying on younger players to fill the gaps and help get them back to the Finals in 2023/24, but they were defeated in the second round of the playoffs by the Timberwolves. When asked if there was a sense of wanting revenge for last season, Malone said “I haven’t seen it,” according to Brendan Vogt of DNVR Sports (Twitter link).
While Julian Strawther has been one of the most impressive Nuggets players in the preseason, it’ll be an uphill battle for him to beat out Christian Braun for the starting shooting guard spot, Durando writes. Strawther is shooting 44.4% from beyond the arc this preseason, an area that Braun is struggling with (7.7%). “Obviously it’s never going to be just about who’s playing better in a vacuum,” Malone said. “It’s always going to be about, yes, who’s playing well, but also who complements that unit. And right now to be honest, I think [Braun] and Jamal and Michael [Porter Jr.] and Aaron [Gordon] and Nikola [Jokic], that’s a group that really complements each other well. … I think Russ, Julian, Peyton [Watson], Dario [Saric] and whoever else, I think that’s a really good complementary group as well. But I will give Julian some more chances to get out there and start and play with that [starting] group.”
The first four seasons of his career haven’t progressed in a linear fashion, but it has been encouraging to see Zeke Nnaji stand out in the preseason, Durando writes in the same story. On Tuesday, Nnaji recorded 11 points, two steals and three blocks. There’s been some question as to whether the big man is best suited as a four or a five, but Malone said that didn’t matter. “I don’t get into all that. I think that’s a bunch of malarkey,” Malone said. “In today’s NBA, you’re a big, you’re a small. … This is not 1980s where it’s three-out, two-in. Zeke’s a big. So go out there and play your game. I mean, is Dario Saric a center in anybody’s eyes? Well, he is for us.“
Nnaji’s strong preseason has extended to beyond the arc, Durando observes in a separate feature. He’s shooting a team-best 54.5% and is aiming to bring those numbers to the regular season. That was a trademark skill for Nnaji as a draft prospect and he hit 43.9% of his threes in the first two seasons of his career. However, amid a form change, Nnaji shot 26.1% from deep over the past two seasons. Despite outsiders telling him to revert back to his old form, Nnaji stuck with it and the change looks to finally be paying off.

Northwest Notes: Hartenstein, Edwards, Gobert, Nuggets

September 7th, 2024 at 5:35pm CST by Luke Adams

The debate over whether or not Isaiah Hartenstein should start for the Thunder remains a hot topic among fans in Oklahoma City as training camp nears, writes Joel Lorenzi of The Oklahoman.

Lorenzi expects Hartenstein to toggle back and forth between the starting five and the second unit depending on matchups, writing that whether or not he starts matters less than the lineups he’ll play with.

Lorenzi wouldn’t be surprised if the Thunder’s top free agent addition plays alongside Chet Holmgren frequently at the start of the season, as head coach Mark Daigneault gathers information on how the duo performs together, but Hartenstein will also be a crucial piece in non-Holmgren lineups, which badly needed a rim protector last season, Lorenzi notes.

Here’s more from around the Northwest:

The ongoing development of Anthony Edwards is the key to the Timberwolves continuing to raise their ceiling, according to John Schuhmann of NBA.com, who breaks down some numbers and film in considering how the All-NBA guard could keep getting better.
Referring to the four-time Defensive Player of the Year as the league’s “favorite pin cushion,” Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic defends Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert from some of the criticism he’s taking this offseason after being on the wrong end of a Luka Doncic highlight in the Western Conference Finals and playing limited minutes for France during their run to a silver medal at the Paris Olympics. Gobert was a huge part of Minnesota’s success last season and will be even more critical in 2024/25, Krawczynski contends.
In a subscriber-only mailbag for The Denver Post, Bennett Durando explores several Nuggets-related topics, including what Michael Porter Jr.‘s next contract might look like and where Zeke Nnaji stands as he enters a four-year, $32MM extension. General manager Calvin Booth has made it clear he still believes in Nnaji, Durando writes, but the big man’s deal “obviously looks terrible” after a poor 2023/24 showing.

Trade Rumors: DeRozan, Kings, Lakers, Grant, Cavs, Finney-Smith, Okoro, More

July 5th, 2024 at 11:05pm CST by Luke Adams

While the Kings are among the teams believed to have some interest in Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram, there has been a growing sense entering the weekend that Sacramento is more focused on free agent forward DeMar DeRozan, league sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

Earlier reporting from Adrian Wojnarowski named the Kings as a legitimate suitor for DeRozan, who would need to be acquired via sign-and-trade, with a third team likely taking on salary from Sacramento in the deal.

Sean Cunningham of FOX 40 Sacramento (Twitter link) confirms there’s “mutual interest” between DeRozan and the Kings, while James Ham of The Kings Beat (Twitter link) confirms Sacramento has talked to the Bulls about a sign-and-trade and suggests that a third team has been “lined up.”

However, there continues to be competition from rival suitors for the 34-year-old’s services, Ham adds. As John Hollinger of The Athletic writes, it also won’t be easy to construct a three-team trade that gets DeRozan the type of salary he wants, ensures the Bulls don’t take back much money, and has the Kings sending out enough assets to Chicago and a third team to incentivize them to make the deal.

Although there are other teams who could open up a little cap room, Detroit and Utah are the only two teams with significant space still available, and the Pistons are rumored to be keeping their room open for trade opportunities, so it wouldn’t surprise me if Chicago and Sacramento have been talking to Detroit in relation to a possible DeRozan deal.

Here are a few more trade rumors and notes from around the NBA:

The Trail Blazers and Lakers have had conversations about Jerami Grant, but if the Blazers are going to send him to Los Angeles, they’d want both of the future first-round picks the Lakers can trade (2029 and 2031), along with matching salaries, according to Sean Highkin of Rose Garden Report. The Lakers have been unwilling to meet that price and Portland isn’t in any rush to move its top forward, so the talks haven’t gotten far, Highkin writes, noting that – outside of Rui Hachimura – the Blazers wouldn’t have much interest in the players L.A. could put in a package for Grant.
After Zach Lowe reported earlier today that Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith is a possible trade target to watch for the Cavaliers, Scotto confirms that Cleveland likes Finney-Smith and has monitored him since Brooklyn acquired him in 2023. Scotto adds that Cavs restricted free agent Isaac Okoro is viewed as a potential sign-and-trade candidate (in general, not specifically for Finney-Smith).
Nuggets forward/center Zeke Nnaji and Sixers free agent KJ Martin are two trade candidates to keep an eye on, according to Scotto. Nnaji is beginning a four-year, $32MM contract after not playing a regular role in Denver last season, so his value on the market would be limited. As for Martin, his small cap hold could allow the Sixers to get creative by signing-and-trading him in order to take back more salary than they would be able to accommodate with the cap room they’ll have left over once their major signings are complete.
Speaking of the Sixers, they’re on track to add Paul George as a straight free agent signing rather than in a sign-and-trade, according to Marc Stein at Substack. That comes as no surprise, since acquiring George via sign-and-trade would hard-cap Philadelphia at the first tax apron, potentially limiting the team’s flexibility for the rest of 2024/25.

Fischer’s Latest: Clippers, George, Warriors, Mavs, KCP, Klay, Nuggets, More

June 30th, 2024 at 12:53pm CST by Luke Adams

As they navigate the challenges of the second tax apron for 2024/25 and beyond, the Clippers have been adamant to this point that they don’t want to complete a contract longer than three years for any players, reports Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports. Barring a change of heart, that means Los Angeles will be unwilling to go higher than three years for its own star free agents, Paul George and James Harden.

While Harden seems likely to end up on a new three-year agreement with the Clippers, per Fischer, that three-year limit has been a point of contention in negotiations with George. Both the Sixers and Magic – who are set to meet with George late on Sunday night – are willing to offer the star forward a four-year, maximum-salary contract, Fischer confirms.

Outside of the Clippers, Sixers, and Magic, there’s another team “lingering on the periphery” of the George situation, according to Fischer, who says the Jazz‘s “dreamiest plot” for the offseason would be to use their trade assets to acquire an impact player on the trade market (they pursued Mikal Bridges before Brooklyn agreed to send him to New York) and to use their cap room to land George. However, as Fischer acknowledges, it’s extremely unlikely that George will decide to sign in Utah.

Here’s more from Fischer’s latest rumor round-up, with the official start of free agency just hours away:

The trade options the Warriors have considered – using Chris Paul and/or Andrew Wiggins as outgoing pieces – range from giving up draft picks in a deal for Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram to acquiring a pick along with Bulls guard Zach LaVine, sources tell Fischer. If they don’t find a trade they like and lose Klay Thompson via free agency, the Warriors will have the full mid-level exception available. They’re considering possible targets using that MLE, says Fischer.
The Mavericks likely would have attempted to make a trade with the Nuggets to acquire Kentavious Caldwell-Pope if he had picked up his $15.4MM player option, Fischer reports. Now that Caldwell-Pope has opted for free agency, Thompson appears to be the free agent wing most likely to end up in Dallas, according to Fischer, who says Thompson also continues to be one of the Sixers‘ secondary targets if they miss out on George.
As for Caldwell-Pope, the Nuggets are preparing to lose him, with the Sixers and Magic both holding “strong” interest in the veteran swingman, per Fischer. A deal with one of those cap-room teams in the range of $50MM over two years could be a possibility for KCP, Fischer adds.
Having traded away Reggie Jackson, the Nuggets are in the market for a backup point guard. Sources tell Fischer that Russell Westbrook would have been a target using the taxpayer mid-level exception if he had opted out of his contract with the Clippers. Fischer also mentioned Hornets guard Vasilije Micic as a Denver target, noting that Zeke Nnaji – who is on the trade block – could be sent out in a deal for Micic.
The Nuggets have also long had interest in big man Dario Saric, who could be a target in free agency, Fischer says.
While it won’t be one of their top short-term priorities as free agency begins, the Clippers are expected to eventually work out an extension with center Ivica Zubac, sources tell Yahoo Sports.

Nuggets Notes: Murray, Nnaji, Playoff Rotation, Spurs

April 5th, 2024 at 11:12pm CST by Rory Maher

Nuggets guard Jamal Murray missed his seventh consecutive game in Thursday’s two-point loss to the Clippers, but head coach Michael Malone said his team’s second-best player is “getting closer and closer,” to a return, according to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN (Twitter link).

Murray is officially questionable for Saturday’s contest vs. Atlanta due to right knee inflammation, tweets Vinny Benedetto of The Denver Gazette.

Here are a few more notes on the defending champs:

While he didn’t get any playing time, big man Zeke Nnaji was active on Thursday for the first time since March 17. He has been dealing with a right adductor injury the past few weeks. The 23-year-old isn’t on the injury report ahead of Saturday’s game.
In addition to Christian Braun and Reggie Jackson, Malone mentioned Peyton Watson and Nnaji as players who might crack the playoff rotation, though he suggested others could get a look depending on the matchup, writes Bennett Durando of The Denver Post. “A lot of it’s gonna come down to who we’re playing, to be honest,” Malone said. “If we’re playing a team that’s really big, I’ll probably have to play a bigger lineup and some other guys. Obviously, trying to get Zeke Nnaji back healthy. He’s been out for a little while now. We know that we can go with Aaron (Gordon) as our backup five. … But there’s a lot of guys that we can throw into games. And obviously, Christian, Reggie, Peyton, Zeke, D.J. (DeAndre Jordan) — whoever the game calls upon, those guys will all be ready. I have no doubt about that.”
It’s a tall order, to be sure, but general manager Calvin Booth says the Nuggets hope to emulate the Spurs‘ dynasty in the years to come, per Troy Renck of The Denver Post. Led by Tim Duncan, San Antonio won four championships from 1999-2007, and a fifth title in 2014. “It is of utmost importance and something I believe in a lot. As a front office, we understand the importance of studying historical patterns and what things have worked,” Booth explained. “The Spurs are the standard.”