The Nuggets have waived Angel Reese’s brother after acquiring him from the Wizards in the Peyton Watson sign-and-trade.
The Denver Nuggets on Friday waived Julian Reese after acquiring the 6-foot-9 forward/center from the Washington Wizards in the Peyton Watson sign-and-trade. The move, confirmed by NBA.com’s transaction log, had already been expected when Reese was included in the deal.
Reese was traded to Denver on August 20, 2026, after spending the previous season with Washington on a two-way contract. The Nuggets were able to take on his two-way deal even after being above the NBA’s second tax apron because players on two-way contracts do not count against the salary cap.
The 23-year-old went undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft after playing four seasons at Maryland. He joined the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2025 Summer League before signing an Exhibit 10 contract with the Toronto Raptors on October 17, 2025. He later joined the Wizards, signing a two-way contract on February 28, 2026.
Reese made his NBA debut two days later against the Houston Rockets, starting at center because Washington’s other big men were unavailable due to injuries. He finished that game with two points, four rebounds and three steals while shooting 1-for-3, committing three turnovers and fouling out in nearly 28 minutes.
His best performances came in March. On March 5, Reese recorded 18 points and 20 rebounds, including 10 offensive and 10 defensive boards, in a 122-112 loss to the Utah Jazz. That made him the first Wizards player since Antawn Jamison in 2010 to collect at least 10 offensive and 10 defensive rebounds in the same game. On March 25, he produced another double-double with 26 points and 17 rebounds, along with one steal and one block, during a 133-110 win over the Jazz.
Across 13 NBA games last season, Reese averaged 11.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.4 steals in 30.9 minutes, starting 10 times. He also appeared in 41 G League games, averaging 8.7 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.0 block in 18.3 minutes.
With Reese now waived, Denver has one open two-way roster spot. KJ Simpson and 2026 second-round pick Bryce Hopkins currently occupy the Nuggets’ other two-way slots.
The Denver Nuggets on Friday waived Julian Reese after acquiring the 6-foot-9 forward/center from the Washington Wizards in the Peyton Watson sign-and-trade. The move, confirmed by NBA. com’s transaction log, had already been expected when Reese was included in the deal.