Denver

Nuggets

Per usual, the NBA will have its brightest stars playing on Christmas Day. The NBA Finals rematch will start the day at 12 p.m. ET and will be followed by Heat-Celtics, 76ers-Lakers, Thunder-Timberwolves and Nuggets-Warriors. Aside from the team and player rivalries that will add to the drama, this will also be LeBron James’ return to Los Angeles after spending the last eight seasons as a Laker.

Walker spent the last season with Maccabi Tel Aviv in the EuroLeague. Prior to that, he spent seven seasons in the NBA. Walker 12.4 points and 23.4 minutes per game in 2024-25 with the Sixers. He’ll earn the veteran minimum with the Nuggets.

Watson remains a restricted free agent, and there has not been much movement between him and the Nuggets regarding a new deal. While Denver wants to hold onto him, the possibility of a sign-and-trade remains. According to Scotto, the Nuggets would want a future first-round pick in return if they were to move Watson. One of the teams reported to be interested, Milwaukee, is said to be willing to consider absorbing Zeke Nnaji’s contract, which the Nuggets have been looking to get off their books for quite some time. Watson also has the option of accepting his qualifying offer of $6.5 million, which would allow him to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

While it was reported that the Nuggets offered Watson $70 million over four years, another report says the team is willing to put up that amount over five years. The Nuggets are looking to get back under the second apron, hence the figure being offered to Watson. Regardless of the contract’s length, the annual value is a far cry from the $25 million that Watson was reportedly seeking. And with teams that have reportedly expressed interest in signing Watson needing to execute a sign-and-trade to get something done, the Nuggets have leverage. Watson has the option to accept his qualifying offer, which would make him an unrestricted free agent next summer, but that path carries significant risk. If he were to either play poorly or suffer an injury, Watson could stand to lose even more money next summer.

The Nuggets’ decision to match the Thunder’s offer sheet comes less than 48 hours after OKC’s initial offer. Jones, who averaged 5.5 points and 3.3 rebounds across 64 games last regular season, should remain a solid piece off Denver’s bench for the 2026-27 campaign. He’s mostly a three-point specialist who can provide some perimeter defense as well during his minutes, but is unlikely to move high enough up Denver’s depth chart to have any fantasy value next season.

Jones is a restricted free agent, so the Nuggets still have the opportunity to match the contract and keep him. If not, this was a wise bit of maneuvering by the Thunder as they were able to offer Jones using the Taxpayer mid-level exception after getting under the second apron by trading Lu Dort. Jones averaged 5.5 points in 22.5 minutes per game during the regular season last year, but stepped up during the playoffs, shooting 69 percent from three-point range.

Despite inefficient shooting, the unrestricted free agent logged another solid overall performance, following Friday’s 26 points with 17 points and six assists on Sunday. He put together some quality production during the Las Vegas Summer League, which could help his chances of landing on an NBA roster beyond the offseason. Still, he likely won’t have an impact this season in regards to fantasy basketball.

Brazile did not have his best night shooting the basketball, but the second-round pick still showed why Denver made sure to draft him. Active on the glass and defensively, the 6-foot-10 forward finished with another solid stat line. Like fellow second-round pick Bryce Hopkins, Brazile has not yet agreed to a contract, with Peyton Watson’s free agency likely a factor. However, he has the potential to contribute immediately for the Nuggets because of his athleticism and motor.

Hopkins, whose contract status for next season has not been finalized, has played well throughout the Nuggets’ time in Las Vegas. The former St. John’s forward shot 3-of-6 from beyond the arc on Thursday and was a blocked shot shy of a complete stat line. Depending on what happens with Peyton Watson, who is a restricted free agent, Hopkins’ fantasy ceiling as a rookie will be limited. That said, he has the experience and skill set needed to contribute immediately if called upon.

Released by the Bucks in January after joining them on a two-way deal last summer, Sears is playing with the Nuggets as an unrestricted free agent. And with Denver already having KJ Simpson on a two-way deal, the former Alabama standout is likely competing for an Exhibit 10 contract if he’s to remain with the franchise in the fall. Sears put up good scoring numbers on Thursday, shooting over 50 percent from the field, but this does not change his fantasy outlook for next season.