Julian Reese's journey to the NBA has hit another speed bump. The young forward, who showed flashes of brilliance during his rookie season with the Washington Wizards, was officially waived by the Denver Nuggets on Friday. The move comes as part of a multi-team trade that reshuffled rosters across the league, leaving Reese's NBA future uncertain.
Reese, the younger brother of WNBA superstar Angel Reese, went undrafted in 2025 after a solid four-year college career at Maryland, where he averaged 11.1 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. He initially signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Toronto Raptors before landing a two-way deal with the Wizards in February. In limited minutes with Washington, Reese impressed, averaging 11.8 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.
Despite those numbers, the Wizards included him in a trade this offseason. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the deal sent Peyton Watson to the Cavaliers, Max Strus to the Clippers, and draft picks to the Nuggets. As part of the transaction, the Wizards also sent Reese to Denver, who promptly waived him off his two-way contract.
For Reese, this is a familiar hurdle. His sister's record-breaking performances have kept the Reese name in the spotlight, but Julian is carving his own path. His rebounding tenacity and hustle on the court earned him praise during his brief stint with Washington, and many believed he could develop into a reliable rotation player.
However, the NBA is a business, and roster spots are precious. Reese's offensive game remains a work in progress, and teams may be hesitant to invest in a player who hasn't yet shown consistent scoring ability. Still, his rebounding alone could make him an attractive option for a team in need of frontcourt depth.
The Nuggets' decision to waive Reese doesn't necessarily end his NBA dreams. He could catch on with another franchise via a training camp invite or a G League assignment. His rebounding feats at LSU and Maryland have proven he has the motor and instincts to compete at a high level.
As the 2026-27 NBA season tips off on October 20, Reese will be watching from the sidelines, hoping for another opportunity. His resilience has been tested before, and he's shown he can bounce back. The question now is whether an NBA team will give him that chance.
For Angel Reese, who has faced her own share of scrutiny and criticism, her brother's journey is a reminder that the road to professional sports stardom is rarely smooth. But if Julian's determination is anything like his sister's, this setback might just be the fuel he needs to push harder.
