Denver, CO
The Denver Nuggets Fantasy Outlook: Studs, Sleepers, and Values
Fantasy basketball leagues allow fans to create teams by selecting players across the NBA. Success in these leagues hinges on picking the right mix of high-performing stars, under-the-radar talents, and consistent value players.
Understanding which players to draft can be the key to victory for those focusing on the Denver Nuggets.
Studs
Nikola Jokic
Unsurprisingly, Nikola Jokic stands out as the premier fantasy option on the Nuggets. The reigning MVP’s versatile skill set ensures high production across multiple categories. Jokic averaged 30 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists during the playoffs, showcasing his ability to contribute significantly in points, rebounds, and assists.
His efficiency is also notable, with shooting percentages of 54.8% from the field and 46.1% from beyond the arc. Jokic’s consistent performance makes him a top pick in any fantasy draft.
Jamal Murray
During the postseason, Jamal Murray re-established himself as an elite guard in the NBA, averaging 26.1 points, 7.1 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game.
In the 2024 regular season, he played 59 games with a three-point percentage of .425, an APG of 6.5, and a PPG of 21.2, marking his best scoring season. His three-point shooting at 39.6% adds value, making him a strong choice for fantasy managers looking for scoring and assist contributions.
Murray’s dynamic playmaking and scoring ability ensure he will be a cornerstone for the Nuggets and a high-value pick in fantasy leagues. His increased scoring and consistent assists make him a top-tier option for fantasy basketball managers.
Additionally, he is a favorite of betting fans due to his peak form. Fans interested in betting on the NBA should check NBA odds before placing bets.
Sleepers
Christian Braun
Christian Braun is an intriguing sleeper pick for the upcoming season. In limited playoff minutes, he demonstrated efficiency with a 53.3% field goal percentage. Braun is expected to take on a more significant role in the regular season as a young player with room to grow. His potential to contribute in multiple categories makes him a sleeper worth monitoring, especially in deeper leagues where finding emerging talent is crucial.
Zeke Nnaji
Another sleeper to consider is Zeke Nnaji. While he didn’t see much action during the playoffs, his performance in the regular season and the potential for increased minutes could make him a valuable fantasy asset.
Nnaji’s ability to score efficiently and contribute on the defensive end could translate into solid fantasy production, particularly in leagues that reward defensive stats.
Values
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope offers solid value, especially for those looking for a reliable contributor in mid to late rounds. Averaging 10.6 points and shooting 38% from three-point range during the playoffs, Caldwell-Pope provides steady scoring and three-point shooting.
His experience and consistent performance make him a dependable pick. He ensures contributions across multiple fantasy categories without the high draft cost of a star player.
Aaron Gordon
Aaron Gordon’s performance in the playoffs solidified his value as a versatile fantasy player. Averaging 13.3 points, 6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists, Gordon’s ability to contribute in various categories, combined with his defensive prowess, adds significant value.
His shooting improvements, particularly from three-point range at 39.1%, make him a valuable pick in the mid-rounds of fantasy drafts.
Bruce Brown
Bruce Brown’s future with the Nuggets may be uncertain due to potential contract offers from other teams, but if he stays, he remains a high-value pick.
Brown averaged 12 points, 4 rebounds, and nearly 2 assists per game in the playoffs, showcasing his ability to fill multiple roles.
His potential for a significant role on a contending team makes him a valuable asset in fantasy basketball, especially if he remains in Denver.
Emerging Talent
Peyton Watson
While Peyton Watson is not a household name, he represents emerging talent that can pay dividends in fantasy basketball.
With increased minutes and development potential, Watson could become a valuable contributor. Monitoring his progress and usage during the preseason and early regular season could provide insight into his potential fantasy impact.
Collin Gillespie
Despite his limited playing time and previous injury, Collin Gillespie could also emerge as a valuable player if given the opportunity. As a restricted free agent, his future role with the Nuggets will be critical.
If he secures a spot and earns significant minutes, Gillespie’s contributions in assists and three-point shooting could make him a worthwhile addition in deeper leagues.
Final Thoughts
The Denver Nuggets offer many options for fantasy basketball managers, from top-tier studs like Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray to potential sleepers and value picks such as Christian Braun, Zeke Nnaji, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Keeping an eye on emerging talent and monitoring preseason developments will be key to maximizing the fantasy potential of the Nuggets’ roster.
With a balanced approach, fantasy managers can leverage the diverse talents of Denver’s players to build a competitive and well-rounded team.
Support Northern Colorado Journalism
Show your support for North Forty News by helping us produce more content. It’s a kind and simple gesture that will help us continue to bring more content to you.
BONUS – Donors get a link in their receipt to sign up for our once-per-week instant text messaging alert. Get your e-copy of North Forty News the moment it is released!
Click to Donate
The Denver Nuggets are running it back with at least one free agent from last year’s team. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Denver Nuggets have re-signed point guard Tyus Jones.
Free agent guard Tyus Jones has agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Denver Nuggets, sources tell ESPN. Jones played a reserve role after joining Denver on the buyout market last season, and enters his 12th NBA season as his agent Kevin Bradbury of LIFT Sports Management… pic.twitter.com/OxPTfX8C7l
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 2, 2026
Jones played 11 regular season games for Denver last year and got into 3 post-season contests as well. The Nuggets are desperately lacking in point guards who can handle the rock, especially after they decided not to pick up the fourth-year option on fellow point guard Jalen Pickett. Denver liked Jones and his ability to handle on-ball pressure better in the playoffs, and obviously feel there is utility in having him on the 15-man roster for his passing acumen and mistake avoidance despite being a target at just 6 feet tall. They did not draft a point guard, so it’s possible Jones is the first PG off the bench for the Nuggets – but in recent years they’ve relied on players like Bruce Brown to shoulder some of those duties as well even if they’re not pure point guards, so it remains to be seen just how much court time Jones is going to get.
His 5:1 assist-to-turnover ratio in his career points to his high floor in ball security though, and the Nuggets have proven time and again over the past several years that they can be truly great if they don’t have silly turnovers. Jones comes back to the Mile High looking to help the Nuggets minimize their mistakes so they can maximize their talent.
Welcome back, Tyus!
The Fourth of July weekend is one of the biggest celebrations of the summer, and Denver is delivering a packed lineup of events for every kind of adventurer. Whether you’re looking to watch fireworks light up the Colorado sky, catch a live concert at Red Rocks, enjoy rooftop parties, indulge in seasonal food and drinks or explore the city’s thriving arts and culture scene, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate Independence Day.
Here’s your guide to the best music, food, fireworks, nightlife, arts, and cultural events happening across Denver this Fourth of July weekend.
Follow @303magazine on Instagram
Read: Best Rooftops to Watch 4th of July Fireworks + Sip Cocktails in Denver
Read: The Ultimate 4th of July Outdoor Colorado Music Guide
FASHION EVENTS
Denver Fashion Week Fall 2026 Second Model Auditions
Where: TBA
Cost: $10+
The Lowdown:
Following overwhelming demand from aspiring models across Colorado, Denver Fashion Week (DFW) has announced a second round of model auditions for its upcoming Fall/Winter 2026 runway season.
MUSIC EVENTS
Read: The Ultimate 4th of July Outdoor Colorado Music Guide
Gillian Grogan and EMMA ROSE
Where: Skylark Lounge – 140 S. Broadway
Cost: $18+
The Lowdown:
Zeds Dead with Sippy, Baauer, Holly, HYDRAULIX & LUMBERJVCK
Where: Red Rocks Amphitheatre – 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison
Cost: $205+
The Lowdown:
Flobots
Where: Levitt Pavilion Denver – 1380 W Florida Ave
Cost: $0+
The Lowdown:
Don Toliver with SahBabii, SoFaygo, Chase B
Where: Ball Arena – 1000 Chopper Cir
Cost: $105+
The Lowdown:
FOOD EVENTS
Read: Best Rooftops to Watch 4th of July Fireworks + Sip Cocktails in Denver
Dumpling Love: Dim Sum Party
Where: Stir Cooking School Highlands – 3215 Zuni St.
Cost: $120 per person
The Lowdown:
Join the dumpling party and learn how to make pork bao buns, shrimp shumai, pan-fried gyoza, and crab cheese rangoons. All classes include a full bar with beer, wine, and house-curated cocktails for purchase.
Stars, Stripes, and Deck Nights
Where: Woodie Fisher Kitchen & Bar – 1999 Chestnut Pl.
Cost: Free
The Lowdown:
Celebrate America’s 250th with our festive Bomb Pop Drinks, featuring real Bomb Pops and High Noon buckets!
4th of July Rooftop Fiesta at Cimera
Where: The Source Hotel – 3330 Brighton Blvd.
Cost: $60+
The Lowdown:
The experience is an open rooftop gathering featuring live-fire cooking, craft cocktails, and skyline views throughout the evening. Guests will enjoy Peruvian street skewers, duck & chorizo paella, and ceviche prepared live on-site.
Farmers Market Central Park
Where: Central Park – 29th Ave & Roslyn
Cost: Free
The Lowdown:
Local vendors provide Colorado-grown produce, tasty baked goods, specialty meats, gourmet food items and more!
LIFESTYLE EVENTS
Mystic Magnolias; A Southern Gothic Cabaret
Where: Colorado Sake Co – 3559 Larimer St
Cost: $25+
The Lowdown:
Saunter yourself out to The Mystic Magnolias, a Burlesque AND Drag Show with chilling charm and dripping in Southern Gothic atmosphere.
America 250 | Colorado 150 Drone Show presented by Visit Denver
Where: DPAC/Denver Performing Arts Complex – 1400 Curtis St.
Cost: Free
The Lowdown:
Following Sunset Cinema’s showing of National Treasure on July 3rd at Sculpture Park, stay to enjoy the 4th of July Drone Show! This special event will be brought to you by Visit Denver, celebrating American 250 | Colorado 150, including an appearance by Mayor Mike Johnston.
Beat The Bomb Summer Mission: America250 Edition
Where: Beat The Bomb – 3863 Steele St, Unit 1273
Cost: $39+
The Lowdown:
Beat The Bomb announces the limited-time-only Summer Mission: America250 Edition – celebrating America’s 250th with five new games, a collectible beach towel, and a red, white, and blue Paint Blast!
Independence Day Concert with Denver Municipal Band (Cheesman Park)
Where: Cheesman Park – 1900 E. 11th Ave.
Cost: Free
The Lowdown:
Price:Free
Join the Denver Municipal Band’s Concert Band for an Independence Day concert at Cheesman Park Pavilion with special guest Denver District 10 City Councilmember Chris Hinds narrating Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait.
Follow @303magazine on Instagram
Whether you’re dancing at a concert, enjoying a garden dinner, cheering on your favorite soccer team or exploring a new exhibition, Denver offers plenty of ways to fill your 4th of July weekend calendar. Gather your friends, support local businesses, and discover something new around the city.
After an extended wait of no activity from the Denver Nuggets in this year’s free agency period, the team has finally made its first new signing.
That signing just so happens to be the No. 2 pick from the 2018 NBA Draft, Marvin Bagley III.
According to ESPN‘s Shams Charania, the Nuggets and Bagley have agreed to a one-year, veteran minimum deal for the 2026-27 season, effectively providing some solid depth in the frontcourt.
Free agent center Marvin Bagley III has agreed to a one-year deal with the Denver Nuggets, sources tell ESPN. A critical frontcourt addition for the Nuggets. pic.twitter.com/enHBVxgfYl
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 2, 2026
With Denver’s first free agency signing now officially in the books, here’s what the move to bring in Bagley might mean for the Nuggets moving forward into free agency and this offseason, as well as entering next season.
Marvin Bagley Brings Frontcourt Depth to Denver’s Lineup
Bagley split his time between the Washington Wizards and Dallas Mavericks this past season to put together one of his better years of production in recent memory.
In the 60 combined games he played, Watson averaged 10.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while shooting a career-high 61.8% from the field and 46.2% from three on a little less than one attempt per game.
Bagley’s a big who’s game centers more around his offensive skillset. He spent most of his time shooting last season at the rim or in the mid-range, shooting a stout 64.1% on two-pointers last season that can bring a bit of an interior presence into Denver’s frontcourt.
Defensively, he leaves a little bit more to be desired. And he’s still not quite the most impressive three-point shooter, even coming off his most efficient season from deep.
But for the cost of a veteran minimum contract, he acts as a nice budget-friendly addition who can shoulder some of the load offensively, and has shown value as an offensive rebounder as well. It’s tough to find much better for the price Denver’s paying.
While entering the league slotted in primarily as a power forward, it’s been in the past few seasons that Bagley’s settled in more as a full-time five; having spent 95% of his minutes during the 2025-26 campaign playing at the five.
That might give you a bit of a hint as to how the Nuggets plan to use him this next season, though they might also have some stretches where he’s placed alongside Nikola Jokic at the four for a bit of a larger frontcourt lineup.
The Writing’s On the Wall for Jonas Valanciunas
Looking at what Bagley’s addition might mean for the Nuggets’ current roster, no one in the picture gets more impacted by Jonas Valanciunas.
Valanciunas was Denver’s primary backup behind Jokic at the five last season following his trade from the Sacramento Kings, and entered this offseason with an uncertain future because of his contract situation.
The veteran big man has an expiring $10 million contract heading into the 2026-27 season, but one that’s not fully guaranteed, giving the Nuggets the opportunity to release him and save $8 million, while incurring a dead cap hit of $2 million that can be stretched over multiple years.
Such a move can give the Nuggets further cap flexibility that they’ll need this offseason to re-sign key pieces like Peyton Watson and Spencer Jones, which to this point haven’t been done, but becomes a bit easier now that Denver can take that next step in pivoting off of Valanciunas.
Perhaps Denver might also look deeper into a trade involving Zeke Nnaji, now that they’ve got a cheaper option in Bagley that might even sit ahead of him on the initial depth chart. However, it remains to be seen if the Nuggets have any takers on the two years remaining on his contract. To this point, they haven’t found anyone to bite.
When factoring in Valanciunas and Nnaji though, Bagley’s addition now brings the Nuggets to a total of 10 players signed onto traditional contracts for the 2026-27 season.
That leaves them with four open spots left to utilize in the days and weeks ahead. How they decide to use that space remains to be seen, but at the very least, the Nuggets’ long-awaited first offseason signing has now officially come to light.
Sign up for our free Denver Nuggets On SI newsletter, and get breaking Nuggets news delivered to your inbox daily!
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow
-
South-Carolina4 minutes agoCNN names Greenville in Top 3 best towns to visit in America in 2026
-
South Dakota6 minutes ago
SD Lottery Millionaire for Life winning numbers for July 2, 2026
-
Tennessee12 minutes agoTragic fireworks disasters have left East Tennessee smoldering over the years
-
Washington17 minutes agoBuying Here: Mount Washington condo offers front-seat view of fireworks for $499,000
-
Texas19 minutes agoRecords reveal “systemic neglect” in immigrant’s death
-
Utah22 minutes agoHow will local businesses recover after the Cottonwood Fire?
-
Vermont27 minutes ago
VT Lottery Gimme 5, Pick 3 results for July 2, 2026
-
Virginia34 minutes agoAir Force medical commander removed from post at Virginia base
