Crowned NBA champions in the 2022-23 season, the Nuggets haven’t had that level of success since. In the following two years, they were unable to advance past the second round. In 2024, Denver fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves in seven games in the Western Conference Semifinals. This year, it was to the Oklahoma City Thunder, and once again in seven games.
Of course, the team made the shocking decision to fire head coach Michael Malone with just three games remaining in the regular season. Inserted in his place was David Adelman, who won the final three regular season outings, but couldn’t help his team get further in the playoffs than the previous year. With the offseason now the Nuggets focus, let’s predict whether their key free agents stay with the team or leave.
Stay Or Go? Predicting What Happens With Nuggets Free Agents
Deandre Jordan – Stay
Turning 37 years old on July 21, DeAndre Jordan has spent the last three seasons with the Nuggets, playing a reserve role behind superstar Nikola Jokic. Now 17 years into his career, Jordan sees limited minutes but still provides value with his rebounding prowess.
In 12.3 minutes per contest in 2024-25, Jordan posted averages of 3.7 points and 5.1 rebounds. The 6-foot-11 center has signed a one-year, minimum salary deal for three straight years. That can be expected to continue as the Nuggets value his leadership, although if he can stay in the team’s rotation next season remains to be seen.
Dario Saric (Player Option) – Stay
Nuggets fans would likely want to see Dario Saric not exercise his player option, but that isn’t expected to happen. There was a previous report stating that the 31-year-old could go overseas next season to play for Real Madrid. The Denver Post later reported that instead, Saric is expected to pick up his $5.4 million option for 2025-26.
Signed by Denver in the offseason, Saric was taken out of the team’s rotation by the end of November. Overall, it was a very disappointing year for the Croatian. He only appeared in 16 games for the Nuggets this season and didn’t see the court at all during the postseason.
Russell Westbrook (Player Option) – Leave
As a player who has made $350 million in salary for his career, Russell Westbrook took a two-year deal worth around $6.77 million last offseason. His player option for 2025-26 is valued at approximately $3.47 million. The. 2016-17 MVP started nearly half of his regular season appearances (36 of 75) in his first year with the Nuggets.
The all-time triple-double leader recorded four for Denver this season. He also shot a career-best 51.7% from inside of the arc. The 36-year-old clearly outplayed his minimum salary, so why would the Nuggets not look to bring him back if he opts out? He did shoot just 11-42 from the field over the last five games of the Thunder series. Reports were that his playing time is part of the reason why the team soured on Malone, as the younger players weren’t being allowed much court time. Perhaps the team decides they want to see more of Julian Strawther and Jalen Pickett. That would involve having Westbrook move on after just one year.
Photo credit: © Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The post Stay Or Go? Predicting What Happens With Nuggets Free Agents appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.