Who’s the highest-paid player in Denver, and how big is their payroll? Take a look at the Nuggets contracts on the books this season.
Despite clicking on all cylinders in this year’s NBA playoffs, the Denver Nuggets again find themselves in a peculiar position with contracts heading into the 2023 offseason. Ask any Nuggets fan and they’ll tell you that’s a fair trade-off for watching Nikola Jokić and Co. close in on their first NBA Finals appearance. Furthermore, Jokić’s record five-year “supermax” contract extension worth over $270 million has locked the center down through 2027-28, ensuring Denver will stay a contender for years to come.
But Nuggets fans will also tell you that postseason success isn’t guaranteed.
Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. returned from significant injuries this year, providing the team with a much needed-offensive boost and helping Jokić carry the load. Murray missed the entire 2021-22 season with a torn ACL, while Porter missed most of the season with a back injury. And while injury concerns seem to be behind the two Nuggets’ key players, the team is also facing several financial challenges surrounding them.
Murray’s scoring prowess and clutch postseason performances have proven crucial to the team’s success. However, after signing a 25% rookie max extension for five years and over $158 million, Murray still becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2025. And while MPJ is locked in with the squad until 2027, injuries have suppressed his limitless potential; he’s missed over 100 games in his NBA career thus far.
The Nuggets’ roster also features several vital rotational players like Bruce Brown with more affordable contracts who play essential roles within the team’s system. And with several potential free agents on the books for 2023 and limited cap space, Denver will have to utilize trade assets, continue to develop its young talent, or seek out hopeful free agents who will take bargain deals to play alongside Joker and a championship-caliber roster.
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Denver Nuggets Contracts & Salaries 2022-23
All Nuggets salary figures are via Spotrac and do not include players on two-way or 10-day contracts.
1. C Nikola Jokić: $32,478,838
- Contract: 5 year(s), $272,020,000
- Click here for the full details of Jokić’s record-setting supermax extension with the Nuggets.
2. PG Jamal Murray: $31,650,600
- Contract: 5 year(s), $158,253,000
- Click here for all the numbers behind Murray’s deal with Denver.
3. SF Michael Porter Jr: $30,913,750
- Contract: 5 year(s), $179,299,750
- Click here to learn more about MPJ’s contract.
4. PF Aaron Gordon: $19,690,909
- Contract: 3 year(s), $86,640,001
- Click here for the full details of Gordon’s deal with the Nuggets.
5. SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: $14,004,703
- Contract: 2 year(s), $30,145,123
- Click here for all the numbers behind KCP’s deal with Denver.
6. SG Bruce Brown: $6,479,000
- Contract: 2 year(s), $13,281,950
- Click here to learn more about Brown’s contract.
7. PG Ishmael Smith: $4,725,000
- Contract: 2 year(s), $9,225,000
8. PF Jeff Green: $4,500,000
- Contract: 2 year(s), $9,000,000
9. SG Christian Braun: $2,808,600
- Contract: 4 year(s), $13,769,157
10. PF Zeke Nnaji: $2,617,800
- Contract: 4 year(s), $11,802,681
11. PF Vlatko Cancar: $2,234,359
- Contract: 3 year(s), $6,815,324
12. SG Peyton Watson: $2,193,960
- Contract: 4 year(s), $11,267,516
13. C DeAndre Jordan: $2,905,851
- Contract: 1 year(s), $2,905,851
14. C Thomas Bryant: $2,133,278
- Contract: 1 year(s), $2,133,278
15. PG Reggie Jackson: $918,516
- Contract: 1 year(s), $918,516
Nuggets Salary Cap 2022-23: Inside the Numbers
All dollar figures and cap estimates via Spotrac as of May 22.
- Active contracts: $168,032,244
- Dead money: N/A
- Total salary cap usage: $152,766,041
- Estimated 2022-23 luxury tax bill: $14,241,068
- Salary on the books for 2023-24: $199,906,497
Click here for Boardroom’s full overview of the NBA’s salary cap rules for the 2022-23 season.
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