A busy start to free agency for the Nuggets started with a big trade and continued with a reunion.

Minutes after trading Michael Porter Jr. and Denver’s 2032 unprotected first-round pick to Brooklyn for Cam Johnson, the Nuggets brought back Bruce Brown on a one-year contract. The Denver Gazette confirmed Brown will spend next season on a minimum contract.

Brown was the sixth man on Denver’s 2023 championship squad before signing a two-year $45 with Indiana. The Pacers traded Brown to Toronto for Pascal Siakam, and the Raptors flipped him to New Orleans in a Brandon Ingram trade. 

Brown’s signing leaves Denver with two open roster spots.

The Nuggets entered free agency, which started at 4 p.m. Monday, with 12 players under contract, leaving three full-time roster spots available. The trade actually got Denver out of the first apron, which allows the Nuggets to utilize the full mid-level exception worth $14.1 million. Prior to the trade, Denver’s best asset in free agency was going to be the taxpayer mid-level exception worth $5.7 million.

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The three players not back from last season are Russell Westbrook, DeAndre Jordan and Vlatko Cancar. Westbrook opted out of his player option for next season, making him an unrestricted free agent, while Jordan and Cancar’s contracts expired at the end of the season. The Kings and Knicks have reportedly expressed interest in adding Westbrook.

Minutes before free agency started, the NBA announced the salary cap was set at $154.6 million. The 10% increase from last season is the maximum allowed under the new collective bargaining agreement. The first apron start at $195.9 million, and second-apron penalties begin at $207.8 million.

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A lot of big names took themselves off the market before free agency even started. LeBron James opted into his $52.6 million player option for next season, while Clippers guard James Harden and Timberwolves forwards Julius Randle and Naz Reid signed extensions to stay with their previous teams over the weekend. Kyrie Irving previously agreed to return to Dallas, taking him off the market.

Deandre Ayton was a rare addition to the free agent pool after reaching a contract buyout with the Trail Blazers. He’s free to sign with any team once he clears waivers Wednesday afternoon.

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Nuggets 2025-26 roster

Point guard

Jamal Murray ($46.4 million)

Bruce Brown ($2.3 million)

Jalen Pickett ($2.2 million)

Shooting guard

Christian Braun ($4.9 million)*

Julian Strawther (2.7 million)

Small forward

Cam Johnson ($21 million)

Peyton Watson ($4.4 million)*

Power forward

Aaron Gordon ($22.8 million)

DaRon Holmes II ($3.2 million)

Hunter Tyson ($2.2 million)

Center

Nikola Jokic ($55.2 million)*

Jonas Valanciunas ($10.4 million)

Zeke Nnaji ($8.2 million)

*Extension eligible this summer