Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets are reportedly trading veteran point guard Reggie Jackson to the Charlotte Hornets along with three unprotected second-round picks, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The full details of the trade are not yet known.

Jackson, who joined the Nuggets halfway through the 2022-23 season, averaged 10.2 and 3.8 assists while playing 22.2 minutes per game this year, primarily playing a bench role for Denver.

Earlier this week, the 34-year-old exercised the player option on his contract, which kept him with the Nuggets for another season at the time. By trading him, Denver saves the $5.25 million it would have had to pay him for the 2024-25 season.

ESPN's Tim Bontemps noted that the Nuggets are nearing the second apron in cap space and get a bit of breathing room to sign free agents this offseason:

Denver, which is bumping up against the second apron and still has Kentavious Caldwell-Pope out there as a pending free agent, gets some significant savings moving off of Jackson’s $5.25 million salary for next season. https://t.co/NsQMlNGXOb

— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) June 27, 2024

As Bontemps said, the Nuggets will need to re-sign shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope after he declined the $15.4 million option on his contract on Thursday. The trade also comes amid reports that star guard Jamal Murray is expected to sign a four-year, $209 million max contract.

The Nuggets have managed to keep most of their 2023 championship-winning roster together, but parting with Jackson is a sacrifice they had to make to put themselves in position to compete for another title next season.

After serving in a key role for the Denver Nuggets for the past two seasons, veteran shooting guard Kenatvious Caldwell-Pope will be a free agent.

According to Shams Charania and Tony Jones of The Athletic, Caldwell-Pope declined the $15.4 million option on his contract for the 2024-25 season on Thursday.

The Nuggets originally acquired Caldwell-Pope prior to the 2022-23 season as part of a four-player trade with the Washington Wizards. Denver signed him to a two-year, $30.1 million extension upon acquiring him, and he had until the June 29 deadline to make a decision on the option for the final year of the deal.

Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported on June 15 that there was "concern" that Pope would decline his option, and he ultimately chose to test the open market.

Caldwell-Pope brought his steady contributions on both ends of the floor to the Nuggets and started every game he played during their run to the 2023 NBA championship, which was the first in franchise history and his second career championship ring.

This past season, Caldwell-Pope once again started all 76 of his regular-season appearances and averaged 10.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists. He helped Denver reach the Western Conference semifinals, where they lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in seven games, falling short of their goal of repeating as champion.

Caldwell-Pope began his career as the No. 8 pick in the 2013 draft by the Detroit Pistons. He also played four seasons for the Los Angeles Lakers from 2017 to 2021, helping the team win the 2020 NBA title.

Caldwell-Pope is sure to have his fair share of suitors as he tests free agency. His two-way production on the wing and veteran presence in the locker room would be welcome additions to most teams, and he will surely be motivated to chase another title next season.

Jamal Murray and the Denver Nuggets are expected to reach an agreement on a four-year, $209 million max contract extension, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.

Denver and star Jamal Murray are working toward a four-year, $209 million maximum contract extension this offseason, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Nuggets will present the deal to Murray – a 2023 NBA champion and one of the best clutch players – and sides expect agreement. pic.twitter.com/tOZ7UBWuli

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 27, 2024

Murray was already under contract with the Nuggets through the 2024-25 campaign, but he and the Nuggets made sure he'd be staying around for quite a bit longer.

The 27-year-old helped lead the Nuggets to a championship in the 2022-23 season, averaging 20.0 points and 6.2 assists per game in the regular season.

Murray was electric in the playoffs, though, putting up 26.1 points and 7.1 assists per game. It was reminiscent of his excellent showing in the 2019-20 bubble playoffs that saw him average 26.5 points and 6.6 assists per contest and included a number of memorable games, including a pair of 50-point outbursts in the first round against the Utah Jazz.

That was his last playoff appearance until the title-winning run, however, as a torn ACL suffered in April 2021 kept him out of both those playoffs and the entirety of the 2021-22 season.

Nuggets head coach Michael Malone told reporters in May 2023 that Murray had expressed doubts about his future in Denver following that injury:

"Not only are you gonna come back, you're gonna be better."

Denver head coach Michael Malone on what he told Jamal Murray after his injury in 2021 🔊#NBAConferenceFinals presented by @GooglePixel_US pic.twitter.com/EqOlQvBVp4

— NBA (@NBA) May 21, 2023

I remember being on the bus with [Murray after the injury]. He had tears in his eyes, and that was the message. 'Hey man, you're gonna come back from this and not only are you gonna come back, you're gonna be better.' 

And in that moment, it's really hard to believe that. His first thought was, 'Man, are you gonna trade me? I'm damaged goods, are you guys gonna trade me now?' I hugged him and I said, 'Hell no! You're ours. We love you, we're gonna help you get back, and you're gonna be a better player for it.'

Malone's words proved prophetic. Murray has helped the Nuggets reach new heights, and they responded by ensuring he would be under contract with the organization for many seasons to come.

That, in turn, should keep a core of Murray, three-time MVP Nikola Jokić and sharpshooter Michael Porter Jr. together for the foreseeable future. The 2023-24 season didn't go to plan, as Murray only appeared in 59 games during the regular season and the Nuggets were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

But the Nuggets' core remains one of the NBA's best, and Murray has proved to be a championship-level point guard.

Reggie Jackson will exercise his $5.25 million contract option to remain with the Denver Nuggets for the 2024-25 season, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Jackson made $5 million during his 2023-24 season with the Nuggets. He averaged 10.2 points, 3.8 assists and 1.9 rebounds through 82 games and 23 starts.

The veteran guard was a regular among the Nuggets' starting five when the team was shorthanded earlier in the season, although his playing time decreased later in the campaign.

Jackson still finished the season having shot 43.1 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from deep, his best rates since 2020-21 with the Los Angeles Clippers. He also recorded a career-high 2.91 assist-to-turnover ratio.

His best performance came on Nov. 27, when he racked up 35 points against the Clippers.

He went on to come off the bench in all 12 of the Nuggets' playoff games before Denver was eliminated from the second round.

Jackson signed with the Nuggets in February 2023, two days after he was bought out and waived by the Charlotte Hornets following a trade by the Clippers. He then came off the bench in six games during the Nuggets' run to the 2023 NBA title.

Having proved his durability by starting every single game of the 2023-24 season, the veteran backup guard is likely to remain a key part of Denver's reserves this fall.

The Denver Nuggets lost multiple role players from their 2023 championship team last offseason and are reportedly determined to avoid that happening again this summer.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported the Nuggets want to get a new contract done with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope before the start of the free agency period.

"KCP is going to opt out. So, the question is, does he get to July 1? Denver doesn't want that to happen. Denver wants to get that done," Windhorst said on the Hoop Collective (44 minute mark).

Caldwell-Pope is due to make $15.4 million next season. It's a solid number for a 3-and-D role player, but the deal expires after the 2024-25 season. Caldwell-Pope will likely be looking for a contract with a similar annual average but more long-term security.

The Nuggets could offer him a three-year deal worth something in the $45-51 million range and get a deal done without creating too much financial havoc.

Denver undoubtedly wants to retain as many players as possible but has to be careful with Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon making $144.1 million combined next season.

The Nuggets are already going to be butting up against the second luxury tax threshold without giving Caldwell-Pope a raise. If he wants anything more substantial than $15-17 million per season, Denver might have to let him walk the same way it did Bruce Brown last summer.

One of the many perils of consistent championship contention is the crunching of number around the edges. Christian Braun would be relied upon to step up in a major way if Caldwell-Pope exits this summer.

Nikola Jokić is enjoying his offseason, as the Denver Nuggets superstar was spotted dancing at a party.

https://twitter.com/AyrtonLegend/status/1800766198646518189

This is hardly uncommon for the three-time MVP, as he previously went viral for his dance moves multiple times during the 2023 offseason following the Nuggets' victory in the NBA Finals.

Nikola Jokic in Vegas last night 🔥 pic.twitter.com/QSD27WKKv7

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 16, 2023

Sombor Nightspic.twitter.com/pInPfJjsM1

— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) August 25, 2023

Although Denver's 2023-24 season ended in the second round of the playoffs, Jokić is still taking a bit of time to unwind and celebrate during the summer.

The 29-year-old even joked with reporters on April 5 about winning another title so that he'd be able to return to Las Vegas and party.

"We want to go to Las Vegas again to party," Jokić said. "So that's why we want to win a championship again."

"We want to go to Las Vegas again to party. So that's why we want to win a championship again."

Nikola Jokic on the difference between this year and last year's NBA title run 😂

(via @TomerAzarly) pic.twitter.com/XqTi76XJnD

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 5, 2024

While he's taking some time to unwind now, he'll be dealing with a shorter offseason as he prepares to potentially represent Serbia in the 2024 Summer Olympics. He was recently named to the country's preliminary squad to compete in Paris.

Jokić was part of Serbia's silver medal-winning team during the 2016 Olympics, although he sat out of the 2020 Games. After earning his third MVP award throughout the past four seasons with Denver in 2024, he should help Serbia become one of the main threats to defeat the United States, the reigning gold medalists.

The U.S. and Serbia are set to face off against one another in their opening match of the 2024 Olympics on July 28. While Jokić is preparing to help his country earn a measure of revenge after a 2016 loss in the gold-medal game, he's also making sure that he's enjoying his offseason.

Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon got a new tattoo honoring his late brother, Drew Gordon.

Aaron showed off the fresh ink in a post on Instagram, along with the caption: "Big bruh lives thru me" and a heart emoji.

'Big bruh lives thru me 🖤'

Aaron Gordon gets a new tattoo to honor his late brother, Drew. 🙌

(📸: @Double0AG) https://t.co/UEpS3wTWyi pic.twitter.com/Xx6eCgDKKR

— theScore (@theScore) June 7, 2024

Drew Gordon died on May 30 in a vehicle accident in Portland, Oregon. He was 33 years old.

Per a report from the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, Gordon was driving a three-wheel autocycle that crossed over the center line on a two-lane road and collided with a pickup truck.

Gordon was a standout college player for two seasons at New Mexico from 2010 to 2012. He was named to the All-Mountain West Conference team in both years, including a first-team selection in 2011-12.

After going undrafted in 2012, Gordon spent time in various leagues around the world. He appeared in nine games with the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2014-15 season.

Gordon retired from professional basketball in July 2023.

Thank you basketball for all that you have given me! I have given you my all over the years, I’m retiring on my jersey year. Thank you to all the fans, friends and family that have supported me along my journey!! Next chapter it is! Goodbye 32 hello 33

— drew gordon (@xtraGORDONary32) July 12, 2023

Aaron Gordon just wrapped up his 10th season in the NBA. The Nuggets' season ended on May 19 with a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals.

The 28-year-old won his first NBA title with the Nuggets last season.

Drew Gordon, older brother of Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, has died at the age of 33 from a car accident, per The Athletic and Stadium's Shams Charania.

Gordon played nine games for the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2014-15 season and has played professionally in other capacities in the U.S. and overseas since his final season at New Mexico in 2012.

Gordon played at UCLA from 2008 to 2010 before finishing his college career at New Mexico from 2010 to 2012.

According to ESPN's Marc J. Spears, the car accident took place in Portland, Oregon.

Gordon was a star coming out of high school, holding offers from Duke, Kentucky and other notable programs before ultimately committing to UCLA. His freshman season saw him average 3.6 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.

After playing just six seasons in his sophomore year, Gordon joined New Mexico, where he averaged 13 points and 10.5 rebounds per game during his junior year. Gordon recorded 13.7 points and 11.1 rebounds per game in his final season with the Lobos.

After stints in several different professional basketball leagues, Gordon announced his retirement in July 2023.

As the Denver Nuggets try to figure out what went wrong in their Game 7 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference semifinals, Michael Porter Jr. is placing the blame on himself.

Porter told reporters he played a "terrible series" and apologized to his teammates for his performance.

"I'm a better player than I played in this series," the Nuggets forward said. "I'm a better shooter than I shot in this series. In the NBA, you've gotta be able to separate off-the-court matters with your on-the-court play. So I don't have any excuses. … I told my teammates sorry. I feel like this is on me."

Porter did acknowledge he was thinking about things happening off the court involving three of his younger brothers, but "that's still no excuse" for his play. Jontay Porter, received a lifetime ban from the NBA on April 17 for violating league rules related to gambling.

Jevon Porter was arrested in Missouri on April 26 on suspicion of DWI. Coban Porter was sentenced to six years in prison for killing a woman in a drunk-driving crash that occurred on Jan. 22, 2023.

Michael Porter Jr. was held to fewer than 10 points in five of the seven games against Minnesota. He shot just 37.1 percent from the field overall in the series, including going 4-of-21 from three-point range in the final four games.

The 25-year-old was terrific for the Nuggets in the first round. He averaged 22.8 points on 48.8 percent three-point shooting and 8.4 rebounds in five games against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Denver lost the final two games against the Timberwolves starting with a 115-70 loss in Game 6. That was followed up by blowing a 20-point third-quarter lead at home in Game 7 in a 98-90 defeat.

The loss ensured there will not be a repeat NBA champion for the sixth consecutive season. This is the longest streak in the league since 2003 to '08.

The Minnesota Timberwolves appeared to be on their way to a disappointing end to their season when they fell behind by 20 points in the second half of Sunday's Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Denver Nuggets.

However, the Timberwolves mounted a furious comeback to earn a 98-90 win that sent the defending NBA champions home in surprising fashion. It's Minnesota's first trip to the conference finals since 2004.

The Nuggets held a 58-38 lead early in the third quarter before things fell apart. The Timberwolves closed the quarter on a 28-9 run and didn't let up, leading by as many as 10 points in the fourth quarter and outscoring the Nuggets 60-37 in the second half.

Minnesota used a collective effort to take down Denver, as six players scored in double figures. Karl-Anthony Towns led the way with 23 points and 12 rebounds, while Jaden McDaniels also had 23 points.

Star guard Anthony Edwards posted 16 points while shooting just 6-of-24 from the field, but he made some key shots down the stretch. Rudy Gobert had 13 points and nine rebounds before fouling out, and Naz Reid had 11 points off the bench while playing outstanding defense. Mike Conley posted 10 points.

The defensive effort by the Timberwolves was also impressive, as fans in Ball Arena were left silent while the Nuggets struggled to regain control of the game. Jamal Murray had a game-high 35 points and NBA MVP Nikola Jokić stuffed the stat sheet with 34 points, 19 rebounds and seven assists.

However, no other player on the team scored more than seven points. Denver fell to 0-12 in the regular season and playoffs when being held to fewer than 100 points.

Players, fans and pundits on social media were blown away by the Timberwolves' comeback in Sunday's Game 7:

The Timberwolves erased a TWENTY-POINT 2nd half deficit in Game 7 to advance to their first Western Conference Finals since 2004!

This 20-point comeback is the LARGEST in Game 7 history in the play-by-play era (1997-1998). pic.twitter.com/kfOYTs5qt2

— NBA (@NBA) May 20, 2024

WOLVES HAVE TAKEN OVER OMG 😮😮😮 pic.twitter.com/Hp41M1mkwZ

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 20, 2024

WOW

— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) May 20, 2024

Wolves got a SQUAD man!

— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) May 20, 2024

I don’t wanna hear anymore bad talk about Kat ever. He has been locked in.

— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) May 20, 2024

KAT deserves a TON of credit for the defense he is playing on the Joker. He isn’t known for his defense but he has taken the challenge the last two games and is performing admirably.

— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) May 20, 2024

On KGs Bday, 20 years later. The wolves are headed back to the WCF

— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) May 20, 2024

Wow Timberwolves..

— PJ Green (@ByPJGreen) May 20, 2024

Wow, what a game by the Wolves. That must have been one legendary halftime speech.

— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) May 20, 2024

The first team to win a Game 7 when trailing by 15+ points at halftime in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/5sn4K19sMy

— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 20, 2024

MASSIVE SEQUENCE. pic.twitter.com/YK0FEQqKr6

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) May 20, 2024

This is a 33-9 Minnesota run.
Goodness.

— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) May 20, 2024

I am legitimately stunned.

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) May 20, 2024

Naz Reid completely out of nowhere. What a shift.

— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) May 20, 2024

That was a 4th for the ages by Naz Reid

— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) May 20, 2024

The Timberwolves were the No. 1 defensive team in the league this season, and they showed their prowess in Sunday's contest. They will need every bit of that if they hope to make it to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history.

Minnesota will host the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Wednesday night.