Nikola Jokic Locked In, But Nuggets Facing Summer Of Trade Rumors And Possible Moves

They did manage to stretch the Oklahoma City Thunder to seven games in the Western Conference semifinals. But along the way, their bench was exposed as being less-than-stellar.

So even Nikola Jokic as the main man, the Nuggets still need help. Sources say they’re hesitant to part ways with core members of their 2023 championship team — Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr., and now, Christian Braun. Obviously, Jokic isn’t going anywhere.

What do the Nuggets do? The answer, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, starts with Jokic.

“Any time a generational player like Jokic is eligible to sign a new contract, it’s a priority. Denver and Jokic are allowed to agree upon a three-year, $212.2 million extension the day after the Finals conclude,” Marks wrote. “His $65.5 million salary in the first year replaces the player option in 2027-28 and puts Jokic in Denver through the 2029-30 season.

“Jokic finished in the top three in points, rebounds and assists per game this season. He is the first player to rank in the top three in all those categories since rebounds were first tracked in 1950-51, according to ESPN Research.”

In other words, lock the guy up even longer. The Nuggets are fortunate in the sense that Jokic is remarkably laid-back and tends to go with the flow — and doesn’t seem the least bit bothered by the firing of coach Michael Malone and GM Calvin Booth late in the season.

But yeah, man, the roster around him needs work.

“The second priority for the front office is to determine whether roster improvement will come via a trade rather than internal development,” Marks wrote. “Because the Nuggets have one first-round pick in 2031 or 2032 available, their lone tangible asset is Porter. The forward averaged a career-high 18.2 points this season. He is owed $38.3 million and $40.8 million, respectively, in the next two seasons.”

Things are about to get really interesting in Denver. The championship window is open. The Nuggets need to figure out how to crash through, and that’s what this offseason is all about.