The Denver Nuggets lost to the OKC Thunder in the 2025 playoffs largely due to depth issues, and their front office responded with an excellent offseason.
Denver’s big splash was acquiring Cameron Johnson in exchange for Michael Porter Jr. and an unprotected 2032 first-round pick. They followed this move up by sending Dario Saric to Sacramento in exchange for Jonas Valanciunas.
Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. also signed veteran minimum contracts once free agency opened.
Essentially, the Nuggets significantly improved their perimeter shooting and defense while addressing a backup center problem that has plagued them for years. As things currently stand, Denver now features a strong eight-man playoff rotation that could expand depending on whether Peyton Watson, Julian Strawther, and DaRon Holmes II take steps forward.
To further scare Thunder supporters, the young guys breaking out is not the only path to rotation expansion for Denver.
Nuggets have valuable trade assets to help dethrone Thunder
The franchise is $2.8 million below the first apron with one open roster spot remaining. Denver can complete the depth chart by signing a free agent to a one-year, veteran minimum deal.
Assuming that these players would agree to such a contract, possible free-agency targets include Malcolm Brogdon, De’Anthony Melton, Gary Payton II, Amir Coffey, Trey Lyles, and Chris Boucher.
Adding a contributor in this manner is definitely a viable path, but Denver could also find talent through the trade market by dangling a 2031 first-round swap.
It theoretically conveys during Nikola Jokic’s age-35 season. He’s the type of player that should age gracefully, but Jokic may also be retired by then and tending to his horses. Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Cameron Johnson would also be in their mid-30s.
Denver owns minimal future draft capital, and the picks that they do have over the next few years project to be late. Finding young talent will be a difficult feat.
As a result, the 2031 swap has a good chance of landing in the lottery where anything is possible.
The Nuggets can use Zeke Nnaji’s contract for salary-matching purposes in a trade. He's owed $8,177,778 this season and $7,466,667 in each of the following two seasons.
It’s definitely a bad contract, but the deal is far from untouchable. Nnaji won’t even be making half of the non-taxpayer mid-level exception after this season, and it becomes less debilitating as the salary cap rises.
Rebuilders and likely first-round playoff exits should jump at the chance to collect Denver’s 2031 swap even though it means sending a quality player in exchange for Nnaji’s contract.
If the Nuggets want to go this route, then it would be wise to add a playmaking guard or floor-spacing forward.
Ty Jerome stands out as an ideal target. He finished third in Sixth Man of the Year voting this past season, averaging 12.5 points and 3.4 assists per game on 51/43/87 shooting splits. Jerome would be a reliable point guard off the bench who fits like a glove in Denver’s system.
Memphis signed him to a three-year contract starting at $8,781,000 this offseason. After moving Desmond Bane for a haul of draft picks, the re-tooling Grizzlies could decide to flip Jerome for an unprotected 2031 first-round swap via Denver while eating Nnaji’s salary.
It’s worth noting that this transaction cannot legally be executed until December, so it must be an in-season move. Denver must also be at least $603,222 under the first apron when the deal is processed.
Other trade ideas for the Nuggets include Ayo Dosunmu, Sam Hauser, and Georges Niang.
In cases where Denver doesn’t believe the return is worth the risk of losing an unprotected pick, they can install protections. For example, it may be a top-five protected swap where the Nuggets keep their own pick if it lands inside the top five.
Overall, the 2023 champs are not done making moves. Look for their 2031 first to be a significant asset on the trade market.