The Denver Nuggets have historically avoided paying the luxury tax, but sources tell Zach Lowe of ESPN that ownership is willing to pay it "down the line for a contender."

The Nuggets are more averse to paying the repeater tax, but they won't be in danger of that in the immediate future.

Denver already has Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray on max contract with Michael Porter Jr. potentially joining them on a lucrative extension and it will likely take a contract above $20 million per year to retain Aaron Gordon.

The Nuggets essentially replaced Jerami Grant with Gordon, who gives them more timetable flexibility in terms of salary and the tax.