After being eliminated in the second round of the playoffs for the second consecutive season, the Denver Nuggets entered the offseason with a plan to upgrade their roster around Nikola Jokic.
Of course, the Nuggets did not hold a pick in the 2025 NBA Draft but they started free agency off with a bang as they made a major trade with the Brooklyn Nets.
In the trade, the Nuggets sent Michael Porter Jr. and a 2032 first-round pick to the Nets in exchange for Cameron Johnson.
BREAKING: The Denver Nuggets are trading Michael Porter Jr. and an unprotected 2032 first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets for Cam Johnson, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/o6rdWhu3Rl
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2025
This was a massive move by the Nuggets and one that adds a sharpshooter to their roster while also freeing up cap space.
Denver then pulled off another trade on Tuesday as they acquired a veteran center from the Sacramento Kings to upgrade their frontcourt depth.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Nuggets are trading Dario Saric to the Kings for Jonas Valanciunas.
The Sacramento Kings are trading Jonas Valanciunas to the Denver Nuggets for Dario Saric, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/D2Xmbm4DN1
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2025
For the Nuggets, swapping Saric for Valanciunas was a no-brainer for them, especially with Saric’s struggles last season.
Of course, the Kings acquired Valanciunas at the trade deadline last season from the Washington Wizards but with them selecting Maxime Raynaud in the second round, his playing time was likely to be cut next season.
Now the 33-year-old center will join a Nuggets team trying to retool their roster and make a run at a championship next season and his addition is a major one.
Over the past few seasons, Denver has struggled to find a backup center to take the load off Jokic, which has cost them in the minutes that their superstar big man is resting on the bench.
Now they add a great inside scorer and rebounder to their second unit that will be a massive upgrade to their frontcourt depth.
With Denver already making two moves to begin free agency, expect them to continue to be active as they try to return to championship form heading into next season.
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