After moving Peyton Watson to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Denver Nuggets may not be done trying to clean up their salary situation.
According to Brett Siegel on the Clutch Scoops podcast, Denver's next logical move could be using the draft assets acquired in the Watson sign-and-trade to get off big man Zeke Nnaji's contract.
Siegel described Nnaji's deal as a problem for the Nuggets, saying Denver now has "a path" to move it and create more flexibility.
"They have a path now with some draft picks coming back to them to get out of this deadly Zeke Nnaji contract, and it will take them under the second apron," Siegel said. "And ultimately, that will help them the most."
Nnaji, 25, is still on the four-year, $32 million extension he signed with Denver in 2023. The contract carries an average annual value of $8 million.
That number has become more difficult for Denver to carry because Nnaji has not developed into a consistent rotation piece.
He averaged 3.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 0.6 assists in 12.0 minutes per game across 52 appearances and 4 starts last season. Nnaji shot 47.0% from the field and 25.9% from three-point range.
Nnaji was originally selected by Denver with the No. 22 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Denver looking for flexibility
The situation became more urgent after the Nuggets decided they could not afford to keep Watson on a larger deal.
Siegel said Denver's tax bill would have jumped from $68 million to more than $210 million if the Nuggets had kept Watson on a contract worth around $20 million annually.
He added that it was clear Denver was not going to pay around $500 million for this version of the roster.
That pushed the Nuggets toward a sign-and-trade, with Watson eventually landing in Cleveland. However, Denver still has work to do if it wants more room to operate during the season.
Getting under the second apron would allow Denver to combine salaries in trades again and search for upgrades if players become available before the deadline.
Siegel mentioned Julian Strother, DaRon Holmes, and even Christian Braun as players whose roles or futures could be part of the larger roster reshuffle.
The Nuggets' core situation also appears fragile.
Siegel said Denver's current group of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Cam Johnson, and Aaron Gordon is on a one-year window, adding that there is "no scenario" in which all five remain together heading into the 2027-28 season.
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Nnaji move could help DeRozan chase
Moving Nnaji would not only be about saving money. It could also help Denver search for another veteran contributor after losing Watson.
Siegel said the Nuggets are "definitely motivated" to sign six-time NBA All-Star wing DeMar DeRozan after the Watson trade, but Denver can only offer him a minimum contract.
The problem is that DeRozan has been reluctant to take a veteran minimum. Tomer Azarly noted that veterans often avoid minimum deals because once they take one, they can be viewed as minimum-level players for the rest of their careers.
Miami is also still looking at DeRozan, but the Heat are waiting to see what happens with Klay Thompson.
Washington has also been linked to DeRozan, though Siegel said the Wizards can now offer only around $6 million to $8 million after taking on more salary in the Watson-related trade.