Denver Nuggets 2024 Salary Cap Situation: An In-Depth Analysis
Team Payroll, Cap Space, and Dead Cap
The Denver Nuggets currently have a team payroll of $136,021,000, placing them just below the NBA salary cap. With the 2024 season approaching, the Nuggets have a projected salary cap space of approximately $10 million, which gives them flexibility to make roster moves in free agency or via trade. However, the Nuggets also have a significant amount of dead cap on their books. Dead cap refers to salaries owed to players who are no longer on the roster. Denver currently has $15 million in dead cap, primarily due to the departure of Paul Millsap in 2021.
Detailed Salary Cap Table
The following table provides a detailed breakdown of the Denver Nuggets' salary cap situation for the 2024 season: | Player | Salary | Cap Hit | |---|---|---| | Nikola Jokic | $35,000,000 | $35,000,000 | | Michael Porter Jr. | $32,000,000 | $32,000,000 | | Jamal Murray | $28,000,000 | $28,000,000 | | Aaron Gordon | $20,000,000 | $20,000,000 | | Bruce Brown | $12,000,000 | $12,000,000 | | ChristianBraun | $10,000,000 | $10,000,000 | | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope | $8,000,000 | $8,000,000 | | DeAndre Jordan | $7,500,000 | $7,500,000 | | Isaiah Joe | $6,500,000 | $6,500,000 | | ZekeNnaji | $4,500,000 | $4,500,000 | | Total | $163,021,000 | |
Jokic's Trade Bonus
Nikola Jokic's contract includes a 15% trade bonus, which means that if he is traded, the Nuggets will receive an additional $6,375,000 in cap space. This provision gives Denver an incentive to hold onto their star player and provides them with additional flexibility in future roster moves.
Conclusion
The Denver Nuggets are in a strong salary cap position heading into the 2024 season. With a projected $10 million in cap space and a young core of players, the Nuggets have the resources to make significant roster improvements. However, the team's dead cap situation will need to be managed carefully. By leveraging their cap space and making strategic roster moves, the Nuggets can position themselves as a contender for the NBA championship in the years to come.
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