Julian Strawther is the lone Nugget on Denver’s current roster eligible for a rookie-scale extension before the 2026-27 season, but the path to a new deal looks crowded by the same issue that keeps following this team around: money.
Strawther has spent the last three seasons with Denver as a promising young wing, bringing size and offensive upside to the mix. His role shrank a bit last season after the Nuggets strengthened their second unit over the summer, dropping from 21 minutes per game to 15, but he still fits into the team’s long-term picture.
That’s part of why an extension makes sense on paper. Strawther could be the kind of young rotational piece worth keeping around on a second contract, possibly at a price a little below $10 million in average annual value. The problem is that Denver’s books are already jammed with major salaries, and the Nuggets are the only team in the league set to enter this season above the second apron.
With that kind of financial squeeze, even a relatively modest extension carries real consequences.
Denver’s approach earlier this offseason showed how carefully it weighs those decisions. The Nuggets prioritized bringing back Spencer Jones on a two-year, $12 million offer sheet to help keep the defense stable, but they chose not to invest further in Peyton Watson and traded him to the Cleveland Cavaliers for a first-round pick.
There is some light at the end of the tunnel. Next offseason, the Nuggets should be in a better spot financially than they are now, with Cameron Johnson’s expiring contract coming off the books and creating more flexibility. That could open the door for Strawther’s next deal.
For now, though, Denver is already carrying more than $200 million in salary for next season and sitting over the luxury tax. In that kind of setup, a rookie-scale extension for Strawther feels like a tough sell.
The more realistic path is that the Nuggets ride into the season with Strawther still on his current deal and see whether he can put together a breakout year. If he does, and Denver wants to keep him through restricted free agency, the conversation can come back later.
For now, the roster is set, the payroll is stretched, and Strawther is headed into a contract year with a chance to force the issue on the floor.
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Among the clubs that could at least take a look is Denver, where roster flexibility always matters and any extra wing depth tends to draw attention. Johnsons case is built around his energy and the possibility that a team could still see room for development, but for now his next stop remains unsettled as interested teams sort through their options. [Read more 🡒]
Nuggets Face A Costly Backup Guard Decision They May Not Need
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That is why the more practical answer may already be on the roster. Rather than chase Russell, Denver could lean on DeMar DeRozan as a backup point guard option, banking on his experience and scoring touch to steady the second unit. It is not the cleanest positional solution, but for a team trying to balance roster flexibility against financial penalties, it may be the one that makes the most sense. [Read more 🡒]