Denver Nuggets Hesitant To Break Up Championship Core

The Denver Nuggets are entering one of the most critical offseasons in franchise history, and while trade speculation swirls around the league, the reigning 2023 NBA champions are reportedly hesitant to shake up their foundation. 

According to Sam Amico, the Nuggets are reluctant to trade any of their core players from last year’s title-winning squad, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr., and rising young guard Christian Braun, even as the pressure to improve the roster intensifies.

The franchise’s situation is uniquely complicated. Nikola Jokic remains the undisputed centerpiece, and his place in Denver is as secure as ever. Jokic, who just completed one of the most statistically dominant seasons in NBA history by finishing top three in points, rebounds, and assists per game, is eligible to sign a massive three-year, $212.2 million extension this summer. 

As ESPN’s Bobby Marks noted, that extension would keep Jokic in Denver through the 2029-30 season, and given his loyalty and laid-back demeanor, there’s little concern he’d push to leave.

That said, Denver’s second-round playoff exit against the Oklahoma City Thunder exposed their biggest weakness: a lack of depth. After firing head coach Michael Malone and GM Calvin Booth just days before the playoffs, the organization’s stability was already shaky. 

Yet, despite the chaos, they still pushed the Thunder to a seven-game series, largely on the back of Jokic’s brilliance. The supporting cast, however, looked increasingly worn out and unreliable, especially the bench unit.

Now comes the hard part. Denver’s front office knows it must improve the roster around Jokic if it wants to remain a true contender. The issue is how to do so without parting ways with key contributors from the 2023 championship run. 

Jamal Murray has long been Jokic’s most trusted co-star, elevating his play during the postseason. Aaron Gordon provides defensive versatility and toughness, while Michael Porter Jr. offers elite shot-making, albeit with an expensive contract. 

Christian Braun, though still developing, has already shown flashes of becoming a high-level two-way player.

Denver’s reluctance to move these players comes down to loyalty, chemistry, and a belief that last year’s title wasn’t a fluke. However, with limited draft capital, they hold only one tradeable first-round pick in 2031 or 2032, the Nuggets don’t have the assets to chase high-impact upgrades without sacrificing someone from the core. 

Porter, in particular, stands out as the only truly tradable piece due to his scoring and age, though his $79 million owed over the next two seasons complicates matters.

The Nuggets are walking a fine line. Jokic is under contract and committed, but the championship window is open now, and wasting it due to stagnation could prove costly. 

Denver’s hesitancy to break up the core is understandable, yet unless there’s internal growth or a surprise trade opportunity, they may find themselves stuck in a version of basketball purgatory, elite, but not elite enough. This offseason will define whether they double down on loyalty or take the painful step toward reshaping their title hopes.