Nuggets Top List of NBA's Worst Future Cap Situations

The Denver Nuggets have the most challenging salary cap situation in the NBA looking ahead to the 2026/27 season and beyond. That assessment comes from Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, who ranked the five teams with the worst long-term financial flexibility.

Pincus's list, which considers each team's available draft capital as a factor in shedding contracts, places the Orlando Magic second. The Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Cleveland Cavaliers round out the top five.

Hollinger Defends Nuggets' Offseason

Despite that bleak cap forecast, Denver's front office has received praise for its handling of a difficult situation. The Athletic's John Hollinger believes the Nuggets did well after losing restricted free agent Peyton Watson to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Past roster decisions made re-signing Watson prohibitively expensive due to the luxury tax. Hollinger highlighted the acquisition of Cleveland's 2031 first-round pick in the sign-and-trade as a key positive. That asset gives Denver a tradeable "most favorable" 2031 pick, which it previously could not offer due to the Stepien rule protecting its own future selections.

Hollinger also cited several other under-the-radar moves he liked this offseason. These included roster adjustments by the Detroit Pistons and backcourt additions made by the Houston Rockets.

EuroLeague Awaits Formal NBA Proposal

Discussions about collaboration between the NBA and the EuroLeague remain in early stages. EuroLeague CEO Chus Bueno told reporters that the league had not received a formal proposal from the NBA as of late last week.

Bueno stated that team owners would welcome a concrete plan and would evaluate it carefully. "(EuroLeague and NBA officials) have both publicly stated that we believe collaboration is the best way to grow basketball in Europe," Bueno said. He added there is a shared understanding that working together creates more value than fragmenting the market.

Buss Brothers Negotiate for ASVEL

Los Angeles Lakers executives Joey Buss and Jesse Buss are moving closer to a potential purchase of a European club. The brothers have an exclusive negotiating window until the end of November to buy French team ASVEL from former NBA star Tony Parker, according to Eurohoops.

Reports in August indicated the Buss brothers were in talks to invest in the club, which has faced financial difficulties this year.

G League as Executive Proving Ground

The NBA's G League serves as a development platform for front-office talent as well as players. A report in The Houston Chronicle by Varun Shankar details how the league provides young executives with the opportunity to take on general manager roles, preparing them for potential NBA jobs.

The article highlights several executives who have used their G League experience as a stepping stone to higher-level positions within team organizations.