Denver Nuggets Waived Guard KJ Simpson
The team moved to sign Ryan Nembhard to a two-way contract.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Basketball
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The Denver Nuggets have waived guard KJ Simpson, who joined the team in 2025. The move allows the team to sign Ryan Nembhard to a two-way contract.
Why it matters
The roster move comes as the team adjusts its backcourt depth ahead of the upcoming preseason schedule. These decisions are critical for managing the roster's two-way slot allocation.
The Denver Nuggets held a three-quarter team scrimmage to evaluate players during their practice session at the CU Events Center. This evaluation period occurs as the team finalizes its lineup.
The players
KJ Simpson
He is a guard who joined the Denver Nuggets in 2025.
Ryan Nembhard
He is a basketball player who was recently signed to a two-way contract by the Nuggets.
Deion Sanders
He is a prominent football coach and former athlete who visited the Nuggets practice session.
The details
The Denver Nuggets made the personnel changes at the CU Events Center in Boulder. Deion Sanders also visited the team during their practice session on Thursday.
Timeline
Wednesday, September 30, 2026: The Nuggets waived KJ Simpson.
Thursday, October 1, 2026: Deion Sanders visited the team at the CU Events Center.
Friday, October 2, 2026: The Nuggets plan to hold a team scrimmage.
Sunday, October 4, 2026: The Nuggets play the Utah Jazz in a preseason opener.
Season Trajectory
The transition to a new two-way player impacts the team's depth and versatility during the initial phase of the season. This move reflects the broader organizational strategy of evaluating young talent before the start of the competitive schedule.
The roster move settles the current backcourt rotation before the preseason opener against the Utah Jazz. Fans can expect these new personnel configurations to be tested during the upcoming three-quarter scrimmage.
The takeaway
Roster management is a continuous process that remains fluid throughout the preseason training period. Teams frequently evaluate players during practice sessions to optimize their depth for the regular season.
What happens next
The Nuggets are scheduled to hold a three-quarter team scrimmage on Friday, October 2, 2026, followed by a preseason game against the Utah Jazz on Sunday, October 4, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on team news, visit Denver Basketball.
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