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The Denver Nuggets have struck out on a number of trade and free agent targets this offseason, including players like Jaylen Brown and Kawhi Leonard, and it seems like they haven't even been able to close on smaller deals on prospective players despite interest being paid to them.
Most recently, it's been reported that the Nuggets were on the shortlist to sign Anfernee Simons, but ultimately Simmons decided to go with the Philadelphia 76ers, who have been one of the busiest teams this offseason and completely changed up their roster.
Simons has been on the rise the last few seasons in 2025-26 averaged 15.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. The Nuggets are in desperate need of shooters after losing Tim Hardaway Jr. to the Boston Celtics and Simons would have been a perfect addition to the squad.
Denver's lack of activity in the free agent market is concerning for a number of reasons. The pressure should be on Denver after Nikola Jokic declined to sign an extension, instead putting it off until next season, and the biggest signal that should send to the Nuggets it that they need to build a team around him that can all but guarantee championship contention before he feels confident enough to sign an extension.
While they had a stellar regular season despite injuries and finished as the third-seed in the Western Conference, they were first round exists against the Minnesota Timberwolves and haven't been able to replicate any of the success they enjoyed since winning the championship in 2023.
Denver ownership has been vocal about the confidence they have in the existing and outlined their offseason plans as "running it back" with as much of the same core as possible, but they've already faltered in that mission by losing Hardaway Jr. and haven't signed Peyton Watson in free agency.
That inaction paired with their passiveness on the free agent market exemplified by failing to secure Simons paints a worrying picture about the future of basketball in the Mile High City and raises questions as to why Denver has been struggling to sign free agents.
Playing with Jokic should be a major draw for most free agents and yet the Nuggets have continued to strikeout.
Them it raises the question if Denver's budget for the offseason may be keeping the team out of the running for most free agents, even for smaller deals like Simons that could have majorly helped the team.
Continue reading...
Most recently, it's been reported that the Nuggets were on the shortlist to sign Anfernee Simons, but ultimately Simmons decided to go with the Philadelphia 76ers, who have been one of the busiest teams this offseason and completely changed up their roster.
Simons has been on the rise the last few seasons in 2025-26 averaged 15.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. The Nuggets are in desperate need of shooters after losing Tim Hardaway Jr. to the Boston Celtics and Simons would have been a perfect addition to the squad.
A Quiet Offseason
Denver's lack of activity in the free agent market is concerning for a number of reasons. The pressure should be on Denver after Nikola Jokic declined to sign an extension, instead putting it off until next season, and the biggest signal that should send to the Nuggets it that they need to build a team around him that can all but guarantee championship contention before he feels confident enough to sign an extension.
While they had a stellar regular season despite injuries and finished as the third-seed in the Western Conference, they were first round exists against the Minnesota Timberwolves and haven't been able to replicate any of the success they enjoyed since winning the championship in 2023.
Missing Out On Players
Denver ownership has been vocal about the confidence they have in the existing and outlined their offseason plans as "running it back" with as much of the same core as possible, but they've already faltered in that mission by losing Hardaway Jr. and haven't signed Peyton Watson in free agency.
That inaction paired with their passiveness on the free agent market exemplified by failing to secure Simons paints a worrying picture about the future of basketball in the Mile High City and raises questions as to why Denver has been struggling to sign free agents.
Playing with Jokic should be a major draw for most free agents and yet the Nuggets have continued to strikeout.
Them it raises the question if Denver's budget for the offseason may be keeping the team out of the running for most free agents, even for smaller deals like Simons that could have majorly helped the team.
Continue reading...
