Denver Nuggets Adjust Reserve Guard Roster Ahead of 2026 Season
By Erin Lowe · Sharper Points AI Desk · Edited by Jordan HawkesPublished On September 30, 2026, the Denver Nuggets executed two roster moves affecting their backcourt depth chart. The franchise completed a waiver transaction involving guard KJ Simpson and secured guard Ryan Nembhard via a Two-Way Contract. These roster adjustments establish Denver's secondary guard configuration as the organization builds off its prior performance baseline.
Official Transaction Details
The precise transaction log for the Denver Nuggets on September 30, 2026, comprises two distinct player movements:
- Waiver: The Denver Nuggets officially waived guard KJ Simpson. This transaction is classified as a waiver, with the destination team listed as the Denver Nuggets and no originating team specified.
- Signing: The Denver Nuggets signed guard Ryan Nembhard to a Two-Way Contract. This transaction is classified as a signing, with the destination team listed as the Denver Nuggets and no originating team specified.
No trade assets, external team transfers, salary cap figures, or contractual terms beyond the Two-Way Contract designation were included in the reported data.
Analytical Perspective on Roster Baseline
Analysis: To contextualize what shifting reserve guard depth means for the team, we look directly at Denver's most recent 10-game performance sample spanning from April 6, 2026, to April 30, 2026. Over those 10 games, Denver recorded 6 wins while establishing a distinct statistical profile across scoring output, shooting efficiency, and ball control.
During this baseline period, Denver averaged 117.3 points per game while allowing 114.8 points per game. Efficiency indicators reflect an average offensive rating of 117.8 against an average defensive rating of 115.6, resulting in a positive net rating across the sample.
| Metric | 10-Game Baseline (Apr 6–30, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Record (Wins / Games) | 6 / 10 |
| Points Per Game | 117.3 |
| Points Allowed Per Game | 114.8 |
| Offensive Rating | 117.8 |
| Defensive Rating | 115.6 |
| Effective Field Goal % | 0.539 |
| Three-Point % | 0.342 |
| Turnovers Per Game | 12.5 |
Analysis: Shot selection and ball handling during those 10 games saw Denver generate an average effective field goal percentage of 0.539 and an average three-point percentage of 0.342, alongside 12.5 turnovers per game. Replacing guard KJ Simpson with guard Ryan Nembhard on a Two-Way Contract modifies the lower tier of guard depth tasked with supporting these offensive and defensive outputs. From a quantitative framing, single-day transactions at the two-way boundary do not alter market power rankings or foundational team expectations, but they represent a deliberate refresh of reserve options designed to protect baseline efficiency metrics.
Sources
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