The Denver Nuggets have tendered a qualifying offer to Two-Way player Markus Howard. He'll now be a restricted free agent.

Howard went undrafted out of Marquette at the 2020 NBA Draft. He signed with Denver and appeared in 37 regular season games. With injuries to the Nuggets backcourt, Howard played in nine playoff games for Denver. He averaged 4.7 points in 12.4 minutes per game in the postseason.

There is "growing optimism" that the Denver Nuggets will be able to re-sign Will Barton in free agency, a source tells Mike Singer of the Denver Post.

Barton declined his $14.7 million player option for the 21-22 season with the Nuggets last week.

Barton averaged 12.7 points in 31.0 minutes per game last season with a True Shooting Percentage of .538.

Popeye Jones has emerged as a strong candidate to join the coaching staff of Michael Malone with the Denver Nuggets.

Jones has been an assistant coach in the NBA since 2010 with the Brooklyn Nets, Indiana Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers.

Jones also previously played for the Nuggets.

JaMychal Green has declined his $7.6 million player option with the Denver Nuggets for 21-22 to become a free agent.

Green and the Nuggets have mutual interest in agreeing to a new deal in free agency.

Green signed a two-year, $15 million deal with the Nuggets last offseason following the departure of Jerami Grant.

Will Barton has declined his $14.7 million player option with the Denver Nuggets for the 21-22 season and will become a free agent.

The Nuggets and Barton have strong interest in negotiating a new deal when free agency begins in August.

Barton started 52 games and averaged 12.7 points per game.

The Washington Wizards will hire Wes Unseld Jr. as their next head coach.

Unseld has been a highly-regarded assistant since originally serving in the role with the Wizards in 2005.

The Wizards were also interested in Darvin Ham and Sam Cassell.

The United States has added JaVale McGee and Keldon Johnson to their 12-man roster for the Olympics. 

McGee and Johnson will replace Kevin Love and Bradley Beal.

Love is returning from a right calf injury that forced him out of the competition. Beal is in Team USA's COVID-19 protocols. 

McGee had been a finalist for the Team USA roster. Johnson has been playing with the Olympic team as a member of the USA Select team.

Wes Unseld Jr. has emerged as the leader to become the new head coach of the Washington Wizards.

Unseld is currently associate head coach of the Denver Nuggets. 

Unseld began his NBA coaching career in 2005 with the Wizards. 

Unseld is the son of the late Hall of Famer Wes Unseld.

Caleb Agada is reportedly planning to play in the summer league for the Denver Nuggets.

Agada scored 17 points in Nigeria's upset of Team USA on Saturday night.

The 26-year-old Agada played in the Israeli League last season.