The Denver Nuggets open training camp with a full 20-man roster. Out of this group, 14 players have full salary protection for the 2016-17 season, while four have partial guarantees and two are under contract with non-guaranteed deals. Here is the breakdown:
Full Salary Protection: Darrell Arthur, Will Barton, Malik Beasley, Wilson Chandler, Kenneth Faried, Danilo Gallinari, Gary Harris, Juancho Hernangomez, Nikola Jokic, Mike Miller, Emmanuel Mudiay, Jamal Murray, Jameer Nelson, Jusuf Nurkic
Partial Salary Protection: Robbie Hummel, DJ Kennedy, Jarnell Stokes, Nate Wolters
No Salary Protection: JaKarr Sampson, Axel Toupane
Roster Outlook: Unless there is a trade, the Nuggets will keep all of the players with fully guaranteed salaries for 2016-17, which leaves six players to compete for the 15th roster position. Out of the six players, 2015-16 holdovers Sampson and Toupane and newcomer Stokes may be the favorites to win the 15th roster spot due to their performances in the preseason.
2016-17 Salary Cap Outlook: The Nuggets could open the season around $18.7 million below the salary cap and $36 million below the luxury tax line. There is a chance management will try to package a couple players via trade to land a top talent in the NBA at some point during the season.
