Here is your NBA Morning Brief covering all the latest NBA news, scores, trades, injuries, and standout performances from around the league.
TOP NBA Story of the Day: Denver Nuggets keeping their core
The Denver Nuggets have not made big moves this NBA offseason. Only Marvin Bagley and Tyus Jones arrived in Colorado as reinforcements, but the Nuggets are obviously focused on keeping their core together.
A few days ago, the Oklahoma City Thunder offered Spencer Jones $12 million, but since he was a restricted free agent, Denver had time to decide whether they wanted to match that offer.
In the end, they did just that, and Jones remains a member of the Denver Nuggets.
After that, they prepared another move, this time involving Peyton Watson. The 23-year-old forward is one of the top unsigned free agents at this stage of the offseason.
Many clubs were interested in his services, and the Nuggets have now offered him a five-year contract worth $70 million, according to The Athletic.
Watson is coming off the best season of his NBA career, averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. However, injuries prevented him from fully capitalizing on his breakout campaign.
The Nuggets have reportedly offered Peyton Watson a 5-year, $70M deal, per @Tjonesonthenba. pic.twitter.com/ZcmtgElyYm
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 28, 2026
NBA MOVES & TRANSACTIONS: Dave Joerger rejected Paris for NBA
Former Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings head coach Dave Joerger is becoming a new assistant on David Adelman’s coaching staff with the Denver Nuggets.
Joerger had an opportunity to move to the EuroLeague, as Paris was interested in hiring him as their new head coach, but he ultimately turned down that chance and decided to remain in the NBA.
In recent years, he served as an assistant coach with the Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Milwaukee Bucks, and now he will take on the same role with the Denver Nuggets.
Longtime NBA coach Dave Joerger has agreed on a deal to become the lead assistant coach for the Denver Nuggets on head coach David Adelman's staff, sources tell ESPN.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 28, 2026
NBA RUMOR MILL: DeRozan on radar of three teams, the Lakers to pivot from Kuminga
Six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan is on the radar of three teams competing for his signature, according to Shams Charania.
After waiving his contract with the Sacramento Kings earlier this month, DeRozan could continue his career with the Miami Heat, Denver Nuggets, or Cleveland Cavaliers.
Last season, he averaged 18.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. All three teams have become realistic destinations for the experienced player after failing to land LeBron James.
The free-agency saga involving Jonathan Kuminga continues, as the Los Angeles Lakers could pivot from the young forward and pursue a deal for a different forward instead.
According to Ryan Ward of Sports Illustrated, the Lakers could try to acquire Cameron Johnson in a trade with the Denver Nuggets. Jake LaRavia and Jarred Vanderbilt could form a package that satisfies Denver on the other end, helping them shed some salary in the process.
Johnson averaged 12.2 points and 3.8 rebounds last season while shooting 43% from three-point range.
On the other hand, there is still no clear sign of which club Kuminga might join to continue his career.
The following teams have shown interest in DeMar DeRozan, per @ShamsCharania
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) July 27, 2026
– Heat
– Nuggets
– Cavaliers pic.twitter.com/AMllk8x3n4
NBA MARKET WATCH: Cap space watch
As the 2026 NBA offseason begins to take shape, cap space is quickly becoming one of the most decisive factors in how the league’s free agency and trade market will unfold.
A clear divide is emerging between teams that are financially flexible and those operating near the second apron, where every move requires far more precision and long-term calculation. That gap is already shaping conversations across front offices, especially as teams begin prioritizing either aggressive roster upgrades or preservation of future flexibility.
Several franchises enter this phase of the offseason with significant cap room, positioning themselves as potential accelerators of the market. These teams are not necessarily chasing star-level free agents, but instead are strategically placed to absorb contracts, facilitate multi-team trades, or take advantage of opportunistic signings once the market begins to move.
On the other end of the spectrum, contending teams remain heavily restricted by apron-related limitations, which continues to push them toward smaller, targeted improvements rather than major roster overhauls. In many cases, this is forcing front offices to explore creative mechanisms such as sign-and-trade structures or veteran minimum additions to address clear roster needs.
The next phase of the offseason will likely be dictated by how quickly the cap-space teams decide to act. Historically, once the first major domino falls, it creates immediate ripple effects across the league, unlocking stalled negotiations and forcing other organizations to adjust their strategy in real time.
For now, the market remains in a holding pattern — but the financial landscape is already clearly defining who will have the power to shape it.
