The Denver Nuggets are in a rough spot, pressed up against the second apron. Not only do they have to worry about re-signing Peyton Watson in restricted free agency, but now they have to deal with the Oklahoma City’s restricted free agent offer sheet, handed to Spencer Jones. Well, the Charlotte Hornets could provide a way out.
In the Hornets’ trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves – the one that sent LaMelo Ball out West – they generated a $40.8 million TPE. If the Nuggets wanted to clear up some money, perhaps they could get the Hornets to bite on taking in Aaron Gordon or Cameron Johnson’s salary for next season.
That would put the Nuggets in a much better financial spot regarding both Watson and Jones’ situations.
Hornets could help Nuggets with the LaMelo Ball TPE
Trading Ball was a big-swing move for the Hornets. They decided that they were better off without him moving forward, and now, they have to restructure their roster.
Heading into next year, Charlotte’s core will be made up of Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller, Coby White, Naz Reid, and their young players. There’s some room for a power forward to be added there.
Even if the Hornets decide to roll with Reid and Moussa Diabate at the four and five, creating a monster lineup, it would still be good to add more forward depth and a veteran presence.
Bringing in one of Gordon or Johnson would help them with that. Gordon’s defense and activity as a lob threat would provide Charlotte with a different look, and Johnson’s three-point shooting would fit in with the run-and-gun style of Charles Lee.
In either case, the Hornets could take the entirety of the player’s salary into the Ball TPE, meaning the Nuggets would get to shed a ton of cap space in the deal.
Gordon is under contract for a few years, so the Nuggets may have to attach assets to him in a deal, but Johnson will be on an expiring contract next year.
Depending on how much cap flexibility the Hornets want to keep heading into the 2027 offseason, one of the two players could make sense for them.
Charlotte wants to win. The Hornets got a taste of winning at the end of last regular season, but then they failed to make the playoffs last year.
Adding one of Gordon or Johnson could help raise their ceiling while helping the Hornets solve some of their second-apron problems.
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