Cap Hell and Tax Crisis

Nuggets are in the second apron with $68.6M tax bill after matching Jones' $12M offer sheet. 97% of cap tied to four players. Internal development is critical. Need to shed salary (Nnaji's $15M contract) to enable any moves. The cap crisis has made the 2032 pick a top trade asset for the Nets, a long-term cost of the MPJ trade. New reports suggest Milwaukee may take Nnaji without a first-round pick, offering a potential escape route. Bagley's arrival creates a frontcourt logjam, potentially increasing pressure to move Nnaji.