The Denver Nuggets‘ season is over after getting eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves, 4-2, in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Now, the Nuggets will head into an offseason that isn’t quite as compelling as years in the past.
One name that draws questions is forward Aaron Gordon, whose salary will increase from the $22.84 million he earned in 2025-26. Gordon’s 2025-26 season was plagued by injuries, resulting in just 36 regular-season games and three postseason games.
Gordon, 30, signed a four-year extension back in 2024. However, the deal will now take effect at the start of the 2026-27 season. His salary will jump to $31.97 million in 2026-27. This number will continue to take larger leaps through the 2028-29 season.
The real concern for the Nuggets is Aaron Gordon’s health. He’s been dealing with consistent hamstring strains that started in the 2025 playoffs. On top of this, a sore calf left the Denver role player missing three games in their season-ending series against the Timberwolves.
Should this be a concern for the Nuggets moving forward?
More Details on Aaron Gordon’s Recent Injury Struggles
When signing his contract extension in 2024, the Nuggets believed Aaron Gordon would be a key piece to the franchise as they returned to the NBA Finals. Something they haven’t done since Denver’s championship-winning season in 2023.
Fast forward to now, Gordon’s availability has become a major concern.
Gordon was dealt a lingering and calf strain during the 2024-25 season, leading to just 51 games played. This injury problem would later move into the postseason, where he would play through a Grade 2 left hamstring strain.
Despite being available for the Nuggets in all seven games of their 2025 West Semifinals loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the injury affected his numbers. He would score a combined 23 points in the final three games of the series, and the Nuggets would get eliminated from the playoffs.
The hamstring issues would then convert over to the next season, where Gordon would aggravate his right hamstring, leading to playing in a career-low 36 games in 2025-26. He would begin the playoffs as available, but would have calf soreness that kept him out of Games 3, 5, and 6.
Nuggets Have Salary Concerns for Multiple Players
Denver’s superstars, which include Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, haven’t been an issue. The Nuggets’ attempt to build around their top two players has been the issue.
On top of Aaron Gordon’s contract becoming a concern, Christian Braun just signed a five-year, $125 million extension that will take effect for the 2026-27 season.
Braun, 25, had a career year in 2024-25, averaging 15.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists while playing in all but three regular-season games. This season, Braun was dealt torn ligaments in his ankle, which led to 44 games played.
His numbers were affected by the injuries as well, averaging 12.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game in 2025-26.
The last name that didn’t meet his contract standards this season was Cameron Johnson. The first-year Nuggets player that was added in the deal that sent Michael Porter Jr. to the Brooklyn Nets last offseason earned $21.05 million in 2025-26 and is set to earn $23.06 million next season.
Johnson played in 54 games this season, averaging 12.2 points and 3.8 rebounds. Both statistics are his lowest since 2021-22.
Following Thursday night’s season-ending loss, the Denver Nuggets will enter the offseason with expensive problems to address. This could possibly be the most frustrating end to the franchise’s season since before their title run three years ago.
Aaron Gordon’s Frustrating 2025-26 Season Raises Concerns About Nuggets’ Payroll