3 Moves the Denver Nuggets Could Make to Win the West
The stood atop the NBA world just two seasons ago when the franchise won its first championship in 2023. The philosophy since has been a “run-it-back” mindset, which has resulted in a bit of stagnation in the Mile High City.
The Nuggets undoubtedly possess one of the league’s most talented starting lineups, led by Jamal Murray , Aaron Gordon , Michael Porter Jr. and three-time MVP Nikola Jokic .
However, the team’s loss of coveted wing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has Denver’s rotation looking thinner than ever. If they hope to remain in contention, it’s almost imperative the Nuggets make a needle-moving trade before the season begins.
Their financial situation is tight and tough to maneuver, but Denver still has ways to get better right now. The team lacks tradeable first-round picks after moving them for Gordon, but the Nuggets possess several intriguing young players who might fit better with a rebuilding franchise.
Here are three moves the Denver Nuggets can make to win the Western Conference.
Doug McDermott entered the NBA as one of college basketball’s most esteemed scorers. The Creighton product hasn’t seen that level of stardom as a professional, but his strength remains the same — he gets buckets.
McDermott has played for mostly middling teams throughout his career, barring his most recent season with the . He’s only played in the playoffs four times, but he would have no problem reaching the postseason with Denver.
McDermott would provide a seasoned wing scorer for a team that severely lacks any depth on the wings. He can play similarly to Porter Jr. as a shoot-first forward and serve as a spot-up threat off the bench for Russell Westbrook .
The Nuggets are weakest on the wings, especially with Caldwell-Pope gone, and need to bring in a known contributor to shore up minutes at the forward positions.
McDermott is a way for Denver to do just that without giving any pieces away.
Denver, Atlanta Make Win-Win Trade
Nuggets make a 2-for-1 deal for wing depth
As previously mentioned, the Nuggets are thinnest on the wings, and this trade allows the team to add not one but two capable starters from the .
Some would argue it’s too early for Denver to move on from Porter Jr., but the team needs capable talents, and De’Andre Hunter and Bogdan Bogdanovic are exactly that.
Hunter has operated mostly as a starting forward throughout his career but saw his role slip a bit last season. He provides sound defense and shooting with a solid 6-foot-8, 225-pound frame. Bogdan Bogdanovic , meanwhile — who would be joining Jokic, his fellow Serbian star in this deal — would have an opportunity to start after being utilized as a sixth man for years.
This trade would push Christian Braun to a more comfortable bench role, where he flourished last season. Denver would again have a complete and dangerous starting lineup to compete with the best in the league.
Atlanta, meanwhile, would add a high-cost potential star beside Trae Young . With the Hawks reportedly moving in a different direction, Hunter and Bogdanovic may be on their way out
