Nuggets front office aims to maximize Nikola Jokic’s prime, weighing a veteran buyout that could bring floor-spacing and intangibles to the roster. Kevin Love’s expiring deal and buyout chatter, tied to a three-team swap that rearranges Norman Powell, John Collins and Kyle Anderson, looms as a potential upgrade option for Denver’s depth. Cam Johnson’s arrival and Jokic-led core still dominate the rotation, but Denver’s bench could shift if Love links with a contender this fall.

The deal lattice—Heat, Jazz and Clippers exchanging Powell, Collins and Love—creates a chessboard where Denver’s best path to title contention is a balanced mix of Jokic’s prime years, Gordon’s versatility, and wing shooting. Denver’s depth at power forward/center includes Aaron Gordon, Cam Johnson, Jonas Valanciunas, and young wings Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther, with DaRon Holmes II and Hunter Tyson providing upside. Love’s veteran presence could stabilize the second unit and add insurance in the postseason, should the buyout materialize.

Durando’s note that Adelman’s Minnesota ties and Love’s willingness to chase a contender keep the narrative alive. Whether Love signs with Denver or merely remains a foil in the front-office chatter, the Nuggets’ path remains clear: sustain Jokic’s peak years, improve spacing, and trust the developmental curve of the youth on hand. The market signal is that Denver won’t stand pat as Jokic ages toward legacy status.

The Denver Nuggets suffered a narrow 101-97 defeat against the Toronto Raptors, dropping to 0-3 in the NBA Summer League. Hunter Tyson sat out, and the late-game brilliance of Spencer Jones and Curtis Jones nearly salvaged a comeback. However, a critical foul with just seconds left allowed the Raptors to secure the win with free throws. This loss highlighted a glaring issue for Denver: their lack of ball handling. The Nuggets turned the ball over 24 times, with point guard Reece Beekman contributing seven turnovers. Tamar Bates showed some scoring ability but struggled with playmaking. The team's struggles were compounded by Boo Buie's injury and Tyrell Harrison’s uncharacteristic performance.

Harrison, a 7-footer from Australia, had a tough night, committing six turnovers in the first half. Despite this, he managed to display positive attributes in terms of plus-minus when paired with teammate DaRon Holmes II. Holmes was effective with 10 points and 11 rebounds, hinting at a better fit for Denver's lineup. The Nuggets also faced challenges with EJ Liddell getting ejected late in the game after a physical altercation, which further emphasized their struggles against aggressive defenses.

Clemson basketball is eyeing a promising future, with hopes pinned on center Viktor Lakhin and guard Chase Hunter as potential 2025 NBA Draft picks. Lakhin, who transferred last season, showcased his outside shooting ability with a 37.5% success rate from three-point territory, averaging 11.4 points and 1.5 blocks per game. Hunter, in his sixth season, contributed significantly with an impressive 16.5 points per game and a 40.7% shooting rate from beyond the arc.

If selected, either player would mark a notable achievement for the Tigers, as no Clemson player has been drafted since Hunter Tyson in 2023. Historically, Clemson has seen 19 players reach the NBA, with 14 being drafted. Their first-round draft picks include notable names like Sharone Wright, who was the highest at sixth overall in 1994, and Horace Grant, picked tenth overall in 1987. Clemson's draft legacy is further enriched by seven second-round selections, including Randy Mahaffey, the first player taken in the draft back in 1967.

The Yahoo fantasy basketball trade deadline is around the corner, and savvy managers are gearing up to make impactful trades ahead of the playoffs. Key players like Pascal Siakam from the Indiana Pacers, who is on track for another stellar season averaging over 20 points and 7 rebounds, are prime trade targets. With the Pacers aiming for a top-six seed, Siakam is set to maintain his high usage and performance.

Zach LaVine of the Sacramento Kings has also been impressive since joining the team, averaging 22.5 points per game and getting increased shot attempts due to Domantas Sabonis's injury. His shooting efficiency makes him a valuable asset for fantasy squads.

On the rise, Dyson Daniels from the Atlanta Hawks has stepped up in the absence of key players, showcasing his ability to contribute across multiple categories. However, managing the risk of trading away players like Paul George and Bradley Beal, who are struggling with injuries and on teams facing playoff uncertainties, may be wise.

Lastly, Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz presents a dilemma, as his production is tempered by the team's strategy to lose out for better draft positioning, making him a potential sell-high candidate.

Nikola Jokic led the Denver Nuggets to a commanding 117-90 victory over the Phoenix Suns, scoring 32 points with 13 coming in a pivotal third quarter. Michael Porter Jr. added 24 points, while the Nuggets overcame the absence of Jamal Murray.

The Suns, dealing with injuries to Devin Booker and Grayson Allen, struggled offensively, relying heavily on Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, who each scored 23 points. Denver's strong performance in the third quarter, where they outscored Phoenix 45-28, proved decisive.