A Power‑Packed Denver Nuggets 2026 Post‑Trade Roster Rebuild Brings Depth Behind Jokic with Cam Johnson, JV, Brown and More

The Denver Nuggets enter the 2025‑26 season with a transformed roster following a flurry of trades and signings that added critical depth and veteran experience—especially behind superstar Nikola Jokić. The franchise’s summer moves reshape their supporting cast, address salary cap flexibility, and signal their intent to contend again in the West.

At the center of the roster overhaul was the blockbuster trade that sent Michael Porter Jr. and an unprotected 2032 first‑round pick to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for forward Cameron Johnson on July 8, 2025. Johnson brings perimeter shooting, versatility in the wing rotation, and a more efficient contract, making him a strategic upgrade over Porter’s high‑cost contract and defensive inconsistencies . Following this trade, the Nuggets were pegged at +1500 odds to win the NBA Finals—an improvement attributed to their now deeper and better‑balanced roster .

Just days later, Denver acquired veteran center Jonas Valančiūnas from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Dario Šarić on July 13, 2025. This move fortified the frontcourt off the bench and aimed to provide reliable relief minutes behind Jokić. Valančiūnas, a steady inside presence, had previously averaged 13.1 points and 9.3 rebounds in recent seasons and immediately bolstered depth in the paint . Initial reports suggested he might leave for a European contract in Greece, but he publicly reaffirmed his commitment to the Nuggets for the 2025‑26 campaign . With his decision, Denver secured a veteran inside anchor without sacrificing chemistry or cap resources .

In addition to trades, the front office bolstered the roster via savvy veteran additions and two‑way contracts. Bruce Brown, a familiar face from Denver’s 2023 championship run, rejoined the team on a one‑year deal, bringing physical defense and multi‑positional versatility. Tim Hardaway Jr. also signed a one‑year veteran‑minimum contract, offering spot shooting and experience in the perimeter rotation. Meanwhile, younger players like Spencer Jones, Tamar Bates, Curtis Jones, and undrafted prospects Peyton Watson, Zeke Nnaji, and Jalen Pickett received two‑way or minimum deals, rounding out the third unit and providing developmental runway .

Under new head coach David Adelman and interim GM Ben Tenzer—both stepping into their roles in May 2025—the Nuggets appear focused on reconstruction around their veteran core of Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon. Adelman replaces Michael Malone following his firing in April, and Tenzer takes over for Calvin Booth in a front office led by owner Ann Walton Kroenke. While coach and GM continuity may have been disrupted, the front office’s moves signal clarity and decisiveness.

The projected rotation offers a compelling mix:

• Starting five likely remains Jokić, Murray, Aaron Gordon, Cameron Johnson, and Christian Braun (CB)—a restored core combining star power, spacing, and floor alignment.

• Second unit now features Valančiūnas as backup center, joined by young wings Zeke Nnaji, Peyton Watson, Julian Strawther, and Bruce Brown for defensive burn and experience.

• Three‑level depth includes Tamar Bates, Spencer Jones, Curtis Jones, and Tim Hardaway Jr., as well as draft‑rights veteran DaRon Holmes II recovering from injury, ready to contribute minutes off the bench.

Notable roster narrative points include:

• Salary and cap management: Trading Porter Jr. and his substantial contract improved Denver’s cap situation and mitigated future luxury tax escalation. Cameron Johnson’s cheaper deal leaves room for flexibility and additional tweaks if needed SI.

• Nikola Jokić’s contract strategy: The three‑time MVP surprised many by deferring his lucrative supermax extension until summer 2026, potentially attracting more financial upside. His $62.8M player option in 2027 further complicates long-term planning but provides optional flexibility .

• Trade rumors swirling: With Jokić’s agent seen with LeBron James and Maverick Carter in July 2025 hinting at “big plans for fall of 2026,” speculation continues he could be moved if he declines another contract or seeks a new direction beyond Denver .. While no concrete offer is on the table, any potential blockbuster involving Jokić would dramatically reshape these plans.

Fans and analysts have broadly praised Denver’s offseason. Charles Barkley publicly called their summer one of the best in the league, alongside Houston’s, citing the franchise’s smartest construction around its franchise cornerstone and improved role player mix .

On Reddit and fan boards, frustration lingers over previous wasted cap-slots and lack of development playing time under the former regime. Comments cited hopeful reliance on latent bench players finally getting rotation minutes under Adelman. One comment laid out the new depth chart succinctly:

“1st – Jokic + AG + Cam + CB + Murray
2nd – JV + Nnaji + Watson + Strawther + BB
3rd – MLE/BAE/MIN + Holmes + Tyson + THJ + Pickett”.

Putting it all together, here’s a snapshot of the projected 2025‑26 Denver Nuggets roster post‑trade:

Nikola Jokić | Jamal Murray | Aaron Gordon | Cameron Johnson | Christian Braun | Jonas Valančiūnas | Bruce Brown | Tim Hardaway Jr. | DaRon Holmes II (draft rights) | Zeke Nnaji | Peyton Watson | Julian Strawther | Spencer Jones (two‑way) | Curtis Jones (two‑way) | Tamar Bates (two‑way) | Jalen Pickett (two‑way)

The combination brings improved shooting (Johnson, Hardaway), veteran physicality (Brown, Valančiūnas), youthful upside (Watson, Nnaji, Strawther), and strong rotation stability.

Going into the 2025‑26 preseason, Denver projects as a Western Conference contender again—informed by a balanced roster strategy, improved depth, and smart cap planning. They now face the task of molding the roster under new leadership, managing Jokić’s contract timeline, and integrating a deep bench into a championship-caliber rotation.

Whether all pieces mesh effectively remains to be seen, but the Nuggets have certainly shifted from an overpaid, top‑heavy outfit to a more cohesive, structurally sound team built around their MVP engine. With championship odds improving and a solid support base, Denver enters the season with renewed optimism and purpose—even as Jokić’s future beyond 2026 continues to hover over the franchise.