The Nuggets are in a bit of a pickle this season, and it’s not looking like the championship run we were all hoping for.
Jokic Can’t Do It All
Denver’s sitting sixth in the West with a 13-10 record. They’ve been stuck in this rut for over a month now, unable to string together more than two wins in a row. Even when Nikola Jokic goes full beast mode, like dropping 56 points, 16 boards, and eight dimes, they still can’t pull off a win against the league’s basement-dwellers, the Wizards. And let’s not forget, Washington had lost 16 straight before that game. Ouch.
Jokic is having another MVP-worthy season, ranking second in points, rebounds, and assists. But it feels like his efforts are getting lost in the shuffle. Jamal Murray isn’t quite himself, and the young guns like Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther are still cooking. Losing Bruce Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope over the last couple of summers really stings now.
Trade Talk: Who’s on the Move?
According to Marc Stein’s latest Substack post, Denver’s front office is itching to shake things up. They want to bolster the squad around Jokic, who’s playing out of his mind. But here’s the kicker: Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon are off the table due to recent contract extensions. So, who does that leave? Michael Porter Jr. might be the guy to watch.
Porter Jr. is putting up decent numbersโ18.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assistsโbut he’s shooting a career-low from deep. If Denver wants to improve their depth and defense, trading MPJ could bring in some solid role players. I think it’s a smart move, even if it means losing his unique scoring touch.
Potential Deals on the Horizon
Adam Mares from DNVR Sports floated an interesting idea on The Athletic NBA Daily podcast. He suggested a trade sending Porter Jr. and some salary filler to Atlanta for Bogdan Bogdanovic and maybe DeโAndre Hunter. That could give Denver a boost in rotation options, scoring, and playmaking. Plus, Bogdanovic and Jokic have that Serbian connection.
For Atlanta, they’d snag a young, talented wing with playoff chops. And hey, Porter Jr. and Trae Young go way back to their AAU days, so there’s some chemistry there. Speaking of trades, did you catch that wild Curry rumor? Just kidding, but seriously, the NBA trade scene is always buzzing.
What’s Next for the Nuggets?
One thing’s for sure: Denver can’t stand pat if they want to up their championship odds. They need to make a move before the trade deadline. Will they pull the trigger on a big trade, or find another way to support Jokic? Only time will tell. But here’s a thoughtโcould a bold trade propel them to the top, or will it just be another roll of the dice?
