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Denver Nuggets Sign Ryan Nembhard, Waive KJ Simpson: Why It Matters
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- Denver Nuggets Sign Ryan Nembhard, Waive KJ Simpson: Why It Matters
With the regular season nearly here, the Denver Nuggets have been making their final adjustments to the roster. But as they make the hard decisions on how to finalize the roster, that does mean that some players will inevitably have to get cut to make space for others.
That was the case for guard KJ Simpson, who played half a season with the Nuggets on a two-way contract after being traded from the Charlotte Hornets. Simpson was waived recently to make space for guard Ryan Nembhard , whom the Nuggets recently signed to a two-way contract.
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Simpson's Time In Denver
Considering that Simpson was playing on a two-way contract, he didn't have many opportunities to make an impact with the Nuggets. In just six games at the NBA level last season, Nembhard averaged 1.2 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in just 5.7 minutes per game.
Denver Nuggets guard KJ Simpson (25) during media day at Ball Arena. Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
It was Nembhard's lowest usage as a player by far, though that is an admittedly small sample size to go off of considering that Simpson was playing in just his second season.
He had a comparatively larger role with the Hornets, starting roughly half the games he played with the Hornets in the season-and-a-half that he was with them, so his drop in usage with the Nuggets was a giveaway that they didn't likely have Simpson in mind for their future plans.
Charlotte Hornets guard Kj Simpson (25) brings the ball up court against the Chicago Bulls during the first quarter at Spectrum Center. Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
What Nembhard Adds
Nembhard, on the other hand, may represent more raw potential than Simpson, but there is less of sample size to work with. He's played just one season in his career, signing with the Dallas Mavericks last season after going undrafted in 2025.
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In 60 games with the Mavericks, 27 of which that he started, Nembhard averaged 6.6 points, 2.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 19.5 minutes per game.
Dallas Mavericks guard Ryan Nembhard (9) dribbles as Chicago Bulls guard Yuki Kawamura (8) defends during the second half at American Airlines Center. Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
His assist numbers are the by far the biggest thing in Nembhard's player profile. The Nuggets have found themselves in desperate need of additional point guards to back up starter Jamal Murray , so Nembhard's playmaking ability will be a huge asset for the Nuggets going forward.
Denver already has a suitable of offensive firepower within the roster, so having more players that can facilitate offense and create looks for the players around them is exactly what the Nuggets needs.
Dallas Mavericks guard Ryan Nembhard (9) grabs the ball away from Chicago Bulls guard Rob Dillingham (7) during the second half at American Airlines Center. Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
By essentially swapping out Simpson for Nembhard, the Nuggets are still left thin in the overall depth department for point guards, but adding Nembhard himself at least allows the Nuggets to upgrade in the skills department at the one.
