Denver

Nuggets

Jordan will continue backing up Nikola Jokic next season. The Nuggets big man played sparingly last season, but was often his team’s preferred reserve center. Fantasy managers shouldn’t expect much production from him, as no center offers more fantasy value than Jokic.

Holmes was connected to the Nuggets throughout the pre-draft process, with the team trading up to select him (via the Suns) with the 22nd overall pick in Wednesday’s first round. An elite rim protector while at Dayton, there could be times when Holmes shares the court with the less athletic Nikola Jokic. “I definitely see (playing the four) in the future, especially the way the game is now,” Holmes said, according to the Denver Post. “You look at the Grizzlies. They just got Zach Edey. They’re probably gonna play him and JJ (Jaren Jackson Jr.) together. I think that’s perfectly fine for me. Small-ball five will be good at times. I don’t think that will be an all-time thing for me. I’m probably not gonna start at the five if I’m gonna be a starter (someday).” Denver currently has Aaron Gordon as its starting power forward, and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon. However, there will be times when Holmes is on the court with the Jokic, and the four may be his quickest path to a starting role due to the Joker’s importance to the franchise.

After earning third-team All-ACC honors as a junior, the 6-foot-8, 240-pound Hall was even better as a senior. In helping lead Clemson to the Elite 8, he averaged 18.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.8 steals, 1.4 blocks, and 1.4 3-pointers per game and was named first-team All-ACC. Hall may not be the tallest big, but the strength he possesses will help in defending bigger players. How effective he is as a pro may depend upon his ability to improve as a shooter; Hall shot just 31.5% from three, but there’s room for growth based on his free-throw percentage (77.9%). This transaction means two former Clemson stars will be on the Nuggets’ roster, with Hall joining 2023 second-round pick Hunter Tyson. Denver needs low-cost players to contribute due to the amount of money tied up in the team’s stars, so Hall may have the opportunity to earn minutes on the back end of the rotation.

Alexander played three seasons at Creighton. He took home All Big East honors in 2023-24 behind averages of 17.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.8 triples. Despite sub-par shooting splits of 44.6/82.4/33.9, Alexander is a quality scorer. The 6’4, 185 pound guard has a deep bag and can get buckets in the paint, from beyond the arc and in the midrange thanks to his handles, creative movement and the ability to catch-and-shoot. He’s got good length as a defender and can make an impact on both ends of the floor at the NBA level. He’ll get a chance to join a contender, and while he may not make a big statistical impact immediately, he’ll just add to the Nuggets’ depth. He’ll likely spend most of his time in the G-League this season.

Earlier rumblings from Nuggets GM Calvin Booth pointed to KCP departing in free agency, so this news is hardly surprising. His 3-and-D skillset should keep him in the deeper-league conversation for fantasy managers no matter where he lands. In his absence, Christian Braun could step into a starting role, which would be a monster boost to his fantasy value.

Shams notes that Murray is expected to sign the deal when Denver presents it to him. Availability has been a concern for Denver’s star point guard, but he’s been phenomenal when healthy, stepping up under the brightest lights in the postseason. He and Nikola Jokic will be a duo to be reckoned with for years to come in the Mile High City.

Booth said, “Yeah, I think you have to look at everything and the nature of free agency is that he’s unrestricted. So we can try to bring him back and if he doesn’t want to come back or opts to go somewhere else, that’s his prerogative so we’ll have to work with that.” That comment is innocuous, but his final word on the matter speaks to the possibility of KCP departing in free agency. According to Booth, “It would be nice if he’s back, we’d have a lot of continuity together, but all the stuff I’ve looked at with lineup stuff and everything, Christian Braun is one of the best net rating guys in the league — as is KCP. So I think if he’s to step into the starting lineup, I would project that we’ll be OK if KCP doesn’t return.” If Caldwell-Pope doesn’t return to the Nuggets next season, Braun is an intriguing late-round pick. He’s played well in limited minutes, and a starting role would do wonders for his fantasy value.

Another elite Dayton big man is on his way to the NBA. Four years after Obi Toppin became a lottery pick, Holmes has the potential to make his mark in the Association. A decorated big man who was a consensus All-American and earned Atlantic 10 Player and Defensive Player of the Year honors, Holmes averaged 20.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.9 steals, 2.1 blocks, and 1.0 3-pointers as a junior. Listed at 6-foot-9, Holmes will be a bit undersized for an NBA center, but he was better defensively when playing off the ball than when he was included in ball-screen actions. This pick is headed to Denver, and the expectation of many during the draft process was that the Nuggets were targeting Holmes. There’s a clear need for frontcourt depth and athleticism in Denver, which opens the door for Holmes to play immediately.

Jackson averaged 10.2 points, 3.8 assists, and 1.9 rebounds per game in his first full season with the Nuggets. The reserve point guard is set to continue backing up Jamal Murray in 2024-25.

Cancar injured his knee while playing for Slovenia last summer and did not play for the Nuggets this past season. He’ll return to game action in early July when Slovenia participates in an Olympic Qualifying Tournament. According to Durando, the Nuggets remain interested in bringing Cancar back, albeit on a different contract.