The Denver Nuggets are currently tied atop the Western Conference. But finishing with a good regular season record isn't enough for Denver anymore.

The Nuggets expect to contend for the NBA Finals. To aid them in that goal, Denver is searching for upgrades to help what has been an inconsistent bench. In particular, the Nuggets are looking for wing help. They'd like to get bigger, more athletic and versatile with a defensive-minded player.

One challenge for Denver during trade season is that they don't have any imminently tradable assets. The players who would fetch the most in trade are all filling rotation roles for Michael Malone's squad.

General manager Calvin Booth's best hope of acquiring an impact player is to stack together a few contracts, some belonging to interesting younger players, and to combine them with draft picks to make a deal. A compounding factor in trading draft picks is that the Nuggets still owe first-round picks to the Charlotte Hornets, Orlando Magic and Oklahoma City Thunder.

Viewership for the NBA's Christmas Day slate was up 5% from last season, with the five games averaging a 1.8 rating with 4.31 million viewers.

The Bucks-Celtics matchup recorded the highest viewership in the day with 6.08 million viewers and a 2.25 rating. Viewership was up 17% from last year's equivalent game, with the Celtics win also representing the first time since 1995 that the most-watched Christmas Day did not feature Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, or LeBron James. 

Three out of the five games registered a double-digit increase in viewership. The Grizzlies-Warriors and Lakers-Mavs were both down in ratings from their equivalent time slots last season.

With an average of 1.9 and 4.07 million viewers, the Sixers-Knicks was the most-watched Noon ET Christmas Day game since 2011.

The Suns-Nuggets was also the most-watched late-night Christmas game since 2015. 

Denver Nuggets reserve big man Jeff Green is going to miss at least four weeks after getting injured during Friday night's victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Green suffered a left finger sprain and hand fracture and will be re-evaluated in four weeks.

In his 15th NBA season, Green has been a valuable reserve for Denver. He's averaged 7.5 points in 19.3 minutes per game. Green has also shot a career-high 52.7% from the field in his second season with the Nuggets.

Mark Warkentien has passed away at the age of 69.

Warkentien worked his way up in the NBA from a scout to eventually becoming general manager of the Denver Nuggets from 2006-10. 

Warkentien was named Executive of the Year that season after adding Chauncey Billups and Chris Andersen to a team that already had Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith.

After leaving the Nuggets, Warkentien held front office roles with the New York Knicks, Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder.

Michael Porter Jr. hasn't played in over a month. The Denver Nuggets forward now says he's ready to return for Friday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Porter last played on November 22 in a home loss to the Detroit Pistons. In that game, Porter suffered a heel contusion that's caused him to miss the Nuggets last 13 games.

The scoring forward missed most of last season, after having to undergo back surgery. There was a thought Porter could return late in the season, but Denver chose to be cautious and held him out.

Porter was off to a strong start this season. He's averaged 16.4 points on 47/43/80 shooting splits in 16 games.

When it comes to sports on Christmas Day, the NBA has owned the holiday the last few years as it has expanded its lineup to run from noon past midnight with tremendous matchups. That creates a ton of opportunities for new bettors to sign up with Caesars Sportsbook promo code REALGMFULL for Christmas Day NBA games , score $1,250 in first-bet insurance and settle in for some serious hoops.

Yes, there are three NFL games as well – including with Tom Brady – but the NFL largely cleared the deck for the NBA by shifting most action to Christmas Eve. The NBA is hosting some incredible matchups for Christmas, including the Celtics taking on the Bucks, the Warriors facing off against the Grizzlies and the Suns playing the Nuggets in the late night game.

It will be an action-packed day, and what better way to build on the excitement than by using one of the best sportsbook promo codes available – Caesars Sportsbook promo code REALGMFULL – and have a little peace of mind on your first wager.

Please note that Maryland bettors must use a specific Caesars Sportsbook Maryland promo code - MCBETPICS - to access their bonus.

Caesars Sportsbook Promo Code for Christmas Day NBA Games

*-in Maryland to offer is $1500 in first-bet insurance for bets of more than $100 and a $100 free bet for bets between $20-$100; Maryland bettors must use promo code MCBETPICS

Since Christmas has arrived, sports betting apps everywhere will be looking to bring on new users by offering an array of sign-on bonuses, boosts and promos. But only with the Caesars Sportsbook promo code offer will you get $1,250 in first bet insurance combined with a combined 2,000 reward and tier credits. It only takes a minute to create your Caesars Sportsbook account. Just follow the steps below:

• If you are new customer to Caesars Sportsbook hit any BET NOW link in this review.
• You will be directed to the Caesars Sportsbook registration page, where you will be asked to provide and verify some basic information, such as email address, name and date of birth. You will need to establish your identity and be in a state where Caesars is licensed when placing a wager.
• You will come across a promo box where you will need to enter Caesars Sportsbook promo code REALGMFULL to take full advantage of the offer. It may already be filled in for you.
• Finally, make a qualifying deposit of at least $10.

Caesars Sportsbook Promo Code: Next Steps

Once you create your account, you will be ready to get involved in all Caesars Sportsbook has to offer, and since you signed up using Caesars Sportsbook promo code REALGMFULL, your first bet is insured up to $1,250.

That means that if your first bet on Caesars Sportsbook loses, you will be provided with a free bet in the amount of your wager. You can use the free bet just as you would a real money bet. Just remember, it expires if you don’t use it within 14 days of receiving it. It carries a 1x playthrough, meaning any winnings from the token are yours to either re-bet or cash out. You won’t have any problem finding a market, as Caesars is one of the best NBA betting sites.

Caesars Sportsbook is one of the leading online sportsbooks, and after you see all they have to offer, you will understand why. Caesars Sportsbook has a rewards program that gives back to all of their loyal users, and as you build up rewards credits, you can exchange them for hotel accommodations, special events and free bets.

Caesars Sportsbook provides a plethora of sports to bet on across multiple markets. Starting your sports betting journey with Caesars Sportsbook promo code REALGMFULL is easy and only takes a few minutes.

It’s non-stop NBA action on Christmas Day with plenty of thrilling hoops on tap from noon until well past midnight. With on-the-court drama expected thanks to marquee matchups, bettors will want to not only get in on the action but also have a little peace of mind during crunch time. They can do that with BetMGM bonus code REALGM, which delivers a $1,000 risk-free bet. Talk about a stocking stuffer!

The top two teams in the league, the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks, playing during the late afternoon affair, and three of the top Western Conference teams, the Memphis Grizzlies, Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Pelicans also play – with the latter two taking on each other during the final glorious game of the night.

As one of the top online sportsbooks on the market, BetMGM is giving you ways to win money on all five NBA matchups on the docket today using one of the sports betting realm’s strongest risk-free offers. The BetMGM bonus code REALGM ranks among the top sportsbook promo codes because it essentially gives you a do-over should your first bet not land.

BetMGM Bonus Code MCBET for NBA Christmas Day Games

Clicking any BET NOW link on this page will get you within a few clicks away from getting in on the Christmas Day sports betting action. Here’s a step-by-step process for how to make a new account, access one of the top sports betting apps and enjoy a risk-free bet with the BetMGM bonus code REALGM:

• Click the “Register” button and be sure to remember to type in the BetMGM bonus code REALGM when prompted (it could be auto filled).
• Use your PayPal, Yahoo Sports account or an email address/custom password combination to begin the registration process.
• Enter your name, birthday, phone number and address and click “Create My Account.” Then verify your identity by submitting the required documentation
• Deposit a minimum of $10 and place a wager. In the event your bet misses, you will be issued free bet tokens equal to the losing wager.

BetMGM Bonus Code Free Bets for NBA on Christmas

Give yourself the gift of BetMGM bonus code REALGM for a stress-free day of the NBA on Christmas – knowing that a loss on your first bet isn’t the end of your initial BetMGM Sportsbook wager.

Only the first bet on a newly created account is eligible for insurance – with that wager potentially being as much as $1,000. There are 20-plus sports available on the BetMGM app to get action on. A win on your first wager begins building your bankroll – with the winnings immediately eligible for a cash out. With a loss, though, you will receive free bet tokens.

For wagers less than $50, you will receive a single free bet as a refund; for wagers of $50 or more, you will be refunded with five free bets, each equal to 20% of your original wager. Bet credits must be redeemed within seven days and are available for cash-out after a 1x playthrough. Few other offers deliver the flexibility of the BetMGM bonus code deal.

Other BetMGM Bonus Code Christmas Day Options

Christmas Day not only features the NBA, but also three NFL games and even a Big East matchup on the collegiate hardwood that can get you on the right track with your first sports betting win using the BetMGM bonus code.

Some of the biggest stars in the NFL will be leading their teams under center on Christmas, with Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson and Tom Brady in action throughout the day. Meanwhile, Creighton and DePaul carry the torch for college hoops.

Don’t wait until the new year. Sign up for this BetMGM bonus code REALGMoffer now and give yourself a $1,000 risk-free first bet on one of the top NBA betting sites in the country.

Donovan Mitchell and Nikola Jokic have been named the NBA's Players of the Week for Week 9.

Mitchell averaged 32.0 points and 3.3 rebounds as the Cleveland Cavaliers went 3-1.

Jokic averaged 36.0 points, 17.3 rebounds and 8.7 assists as the Denver Nuggets went 2-1.

The Denver Nuggets lost a home game to the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday to fall to 14-10 on the season. It was Denver's third straight loss, and it's left the Nuggets feeling frustrated.

“The locker room’s definitely frustrated,” reserve guard Bones Hyland said. Hyland added that several defensive mistakes have led to the recent losses.