Latest news with #Nuggets'
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Denver's Brain Drain: Why the Nuggets Let Go of the Man Behind Jokić's Dynasty
The Denver Nuggets have recently made a significant front-office change by parting ways with Assistant General Manager Tommy Balcetis , ending a long tenure that began in 2013. Balcetis, a Harvard graduate with a background in economics and business consulting, was a key figure in the Nuggets' rise over the past decade, contributing extensively to analytics, scouting, and salary cap strategy. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Tommy Balcetis joined the after initially working for the NBA in Europe and Africa, where he managed media rights distribution. His transition to the Nuggets came through a connection with Tim Connelly, then the New Orleans Pelicans assistant GM, whom Balcetis met at a Basketball Without Borders event in Moscow. When Connelly took over the Nuggets front office in 2013, he brought Balcetis on board to help build the organization's analytics capabilities from the ground up, as the NBA was just beginning to embrace advanced data analytics in team-building. Over the years, Balcetis climbed the ranks within the Nuggets organization, evolving from managing basketball analytics to becoming Assistant GM in 2020. He played a vital role in shaping the Nuggets' roster, including supporting the general manager in key decisions that led to the team's 2023 NBA championship. His expertise in analytics and salary cap management was instrumental in maintaining a competitive and deep roster around superstar . Despite his long service and contributions, Tommy Balcetis was passed over for the general manager position after the firing of Calvin Booth in 2025. Instead, Ben Tenzer, a Denver Nuggets veteran front-office member with over 15 years of experience and a strong background in salary cap expertise, was named interim GM. Tenzer also serves as GM of the Nuggets' G League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Gold, and is considered a leading candidate for the permanent GM role. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Nuggets owner, Josh Kroenke, has taken an active role in the front office during this transitional period, serving as interim president of basketball operations and overseeing the search for a new GM. Kroenke has emphasized the importance of maintaining the team's competitive edge while balancing input from star players like Jokić, though ultimate decisions rest with the front office. Also read: Tommy Balcetis's departure marks the end of an era for the Denver Nuggets' front office, which has been defined by a strong analytical approach and steady roster building. The team now faces a pivotal offseason to determine its leadership and future direction as it seeks to build on recent success and remain a championship contender.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Russell Westbrook Contract Decision Has Massive Salary Implications for Nuggets
Russell Westbrook Contract Decision Has Massive Salary Implications for Nuggets originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Denver Nuggets' core roster is already slated to look a bit different in 2025-26, and the 2024-25 NBA offseason hasn't even officially begun just yet. Advertisement Denver majority owner Josh Kroenke shockingly fired both 10-year head coach Michael Malone and championship general manager Calvin Booth with just days remaining in the Nuggets' regular season, replacing them with interim head coach David Adelman and interim GM Ben Tazer. While Adelman has shaken the interim sticker and will serve as the Nuggets' long-term head coaching option, Tazer's status is more tenuous, even with the 2025 NBA Draft and free agency now just weeks away. The Nuggets finished the regular season with a 50-32 record and pushed the NBA Finals-bound Oklahoma City Thunder to seven games in their second round playoff encounter. Denver was severely hampered by that seventh semifinal contest, with starting forwards Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon striving to play through major injuries. Apr 9, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) directs his team against the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images Adelman's rotations were fairly limited, and he had to lean on erratic or unproven bench players to add a spark. Eventually, the Nuggets' luck ran out. Advertisement One of those bench pieces appears to be ready to move on. Former nine-time All-Star and 2017 league MVP Russell Westbrook will reportedly decline his $3.47 million player option for next year and instead explore unrestricted free agency, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line (via Substack). Westbrook, 36, had until June 29 to make a decision on the second year of the two-season deal he had agreed to with Denver last summer. The 6-foot-4 UCLA alum is now slated to join potentially his seventh NBA franchise across the last eight seasons. Still, there's a chance Westbrook could stick around. Advertisement He averaged solid numbers off the bench for Denver, while staying healthy throughout the regular season and playoffs. Across 75 available regular season bouts, Westbrook averaged 13.3 points on a .449/.323/.661 slash line, 6.1 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.4 swipes. In reduced playing time, those numbers shrank a bit during the postseason. He averaged 11.7 points on inefficient shooting splits of .391/.317/.700, along with 3.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists (against 2.3 turnovers), and 0.9 steals. The biggest issues with Westbrook are his inclination to hold the ball for too long (especially on a team with elite creators like three-time MVP center Nikola Jokic and guard Jamal Murray), his inconsistent off-ball effort, his poor jump-shooting, and his disengaged defense. He may have some value as an eighth man, especially in the regular season, but giving him significant playoff minutes at this stage is risky. Bobby Marks of ESPN unpacks how Denver's cap situation benefits from Westbrook's reported decision. The Nuggets are understandably desperate to help Jokic win his second title with the franchise after two disappointing second round playoff exits. Denver thankfully now has some breathing room below the NBA's harshly punitive second luxury tax apron, with 12 players currently signed. Advertisement The team can now use its $5.7 taxpayer mid-level exception, a mechanism that would have been unavailable to Denver as a second apron team, and two veteran minimum slots to add new talent around its core of Jokic, Murray and Gordon. Key swingman Christian Braun is still on his rookie-scale contract at present, but will become extension-eligible this summer, and could fetch a major raise. But the Nuggets can worry about what a likely-pricey Braun deal kicking in for 2025-26 will do to their payroll later. For now, the team should focus on affordable help for Jokic, and perhaps sniff around possible Porter trade packages. Related: Fans React to Nuggets Star Russell Westbrook's Major Free Agency Decision This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nuggets' Russell Westbrook makes final decision on player contract option
The post Nuggets' Russell Westbrook makes final decision on player contract option appeared first on ClutchPoints. Russell Westbrook had a productive season with the Denver Nuggets this past season, but it looks like he may be looking for a new destination after his latest move, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. Advertisement 'Denver's Russell Westbrook is declining his player option for next season to become an unrestricted free agent on June 30, league sources tell The Stein Line,' Stein wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Westbrook spent one season with the Nuggets, appearing in 75 games and averaging 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game. In the last few stops for Westbrook, he has played a bench role for the teams, and teams will be looking to add him so he can bolster their second unit. It's uncertain what teams will be interested, but a report came out recently about someone looking to give him a major contract to lure him away from the NBA, according to Nemanja Zoric of HoopsHype 'Hapoel Tel Aviv has made initial contact with former NBA All-Star Russell Westbrook,' Zoric wrote. 'I'm told the Eurocup champions are planning to make him an offer with a salary never seen before in European basketball.' Advertisement Westbrook probably still believes he has a lot left in the tank before trying to decide to head overseas, and he can still help a contender in the league. He was a big addition to the Nuggets, and the chemistry he had with Nikola Jokic was undeniable. For any team that wants Westbrook, they know he will give his all every time he steps on the court. He has limitations with his efficiency from the 3-point line, but he is a great slasher and can make plays for everybody else on the court. There should definitely be some contenders that look to add him to their roster, and it will be interesting to see who lines up for the former MVP. Related: Nuggets' Nikola Jokic sent DeAndre Jordan a selfie with horse during offseason Related: Russell Westbrook's 10 greatest accomplishments, ranked
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Nuggets' Nikola Jokic sent DeAndre Jordan a selfie with horse during offseason
The post Nuggets' Nikola Jokic sent DeAndre Jordan a selfie with horse during offseason appeared first on ClutchPoints. Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets endured an emotionally draining 2024-25 NBA season, one that included endless speculation and a number of exhilarating moments. When the 2025 NBA Finals conclude, it is possible this squad will have come within one win from eliminating the champions in the playoffs. And yet, there are still trying roster issues that management must address this summer. The players are not focused on that just yet, though. Advertisement This is a time to decompress after a long campaign. You don't have to tell Jokic. The 2023 Finals MVP and three-time regular season MVP knows how to make the most of his NBA hiatus, as he lets loose in his native Serbia. The man is passionate about his family, friends, culture, and of course, his beloved horses. When chatting with FanDuel TV's 'Run It Back,' upcoming Nuggets free agent and veteran center DeAndre Jordan revealed the last contact he made with Jokic. 'I talked to him maybe like a week or so ago — he sent me a picture of him with a horse,' the 2016 All-NBA First-Team selection said, via ClutchPoints. 'Like a selfie of him and the horse together. And I was like 'alright, have fun brother.'' Nuggets' Nikola Jokic lives it up in Serbia What appeals to fans most about Jokic, at least from a non-basketball standpoint, is his authenticity. His personality does not fit the mold of what the league and public expects from the face of the NBA, which is why the search for LeBron James' successor is ongoing, but the sensational seven-footer is a multifaceted individual. Advertisement Despite his understated nature in front of the cameras, Nikola Jokic is clearly committed to every challenge he tackles. He led Denver through an erratic season that saw the organization fire head coach Michael Malone less than two weeks before the playoffs started. The five-time All-NBA First-Teamer pushed through the ups and downs, performing at a historically magnificent level for most of the year — averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, 10.2 assists and 1.8 steals while shooting 41.7 percent from 3-point range. But when the season ends, Jokic is able to compartmentalize and enjoy what else life has to offer. The Nuggets need their franchise keystone to feel rejuvenated once the new campaign begins, for they know how heavy a workload he must carry in order for them to reach their ceiling. If his correspondence with DeAndre Jordan is any indication, it seems like Jokic will come into training camp emotionally recharged. Related: Russell Westbrook's 10 greatest accomplishments, ranked Related: Nuggets' Russell Westbrook makes final decision on player contract option
New York Post
13-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Russell Westbrook becomes free agent after tumultuous Nuggets ending
Russell Westbrook played a role in Nuggets' chaos and now might be bailing. The veteran guard declined his player option with the Nuggets for the 2025-26 season and now will enter free agency, according to Marc Stein. Westbrook had been slated to make $3.47 million had he opted into the contract. Advertisement 3 Russell Westbrook declined his player option for 2025-26. AP The 36-year-old had a solid season with the Nuggets, averaging 13.3 points across 75 regular-season games, but his role on the team reportedly played a factor in head coach Michael Malone's stunning firing. The Nuggets moved on from both Malone and general manager Calvin Booth right before the end of the regular season due to tension between the two festering, among other reasons, with The Athletic reporting Westbrook 'might have been the biggest lightning rod.' Advertisement Some in the organization reportedly did not approve of what they viewed as preferential treatment for the nine-time All-Star, in addition to the belief that second-year guard Jalen Pickett should play more. Westbrook made critical mistakes down the stretch in a loss to the Timberwolves in a game that ultimately left the Nuggets with the No. 4 seed instead of the No. 3 spot. 3 Michael Malone reportedly went easy on Westbrook. AP 'All the while, Malone's choice to continue supporting Westbrook, despite the frustration he was causing on and off the floor, led to a loss of credibility among the team's key players,' The Athletic's Sam Amick and Tony Jones reported on April 10. 'It was one thing when Malone handled (Nikola) Jokić and (Jamal) Murray with more leniency than the rest of their group, but affording Westbrook that sort of treatment, even with his Hall of Fame credentials, wasn't received well by some.' Advertisement Westbrook averaged 13.8 points in 25.7 minutes in the Nuggets' first-round series win over the Clippers, but tallied just 9.9 points in 22.7 minutes in the seven-game second-round series loss to the Thunder. 3 Westbrook could be headed to his seventh team. AP He now could be headed to his seventh team in what will be his 18th season, during which he's become well traveled. Westbrook spent his first 11 years with the Thunder, but has not lasted two full seasons with any of his five teams since — and that seemingly will include the Nuggets.
