Nuggets Players Eligible to be Traded on December 15

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Nathaniel Holloway | Last updated Dec 14, 2024 10:52 AM ET

The unofficial start to the NBA trade season is Sunday December 15. This date marks the first time players who were signed in free agency during the offseason are able to be traded this season.

With the Denver Nuggets having a down season, they could be active from this date until the trade deadline in February to add more help around their three-time MVP Nikola Jokić. Before the season, Denver was one of the favorites to come out of the Western Conference. Instead, they sit sixth in the West standings with a 13-10 record.

Despite their struggles, Jokić has once again put up MVP-like numbers. He is currently averaging 31.5 points, 13.3 rebounds and 9.8 assists per game while shooting 56.4% from the field and 51.2% from three.

While Jokić has been dominant, the rest of the team has failed to step up their play around him. Michael Porter Jr. has been Denver’s second-best player behind Jokić as he is second on the team in points and rebounds.

With their struggles to begin the season, Denver could be a busy team ahead of the trade deadline in February. They do have four players that will become eligible to be traded on Dec. 15. Those players include Russell Westbrook, Dario Šarić, DeAndre Jordan and Vlatko Čančar.

Jordan has taken over as their backup center, replacing Zeke Nnaji who has seen his minutes diminished. Čančar underwent left knee surgery earlier this month, which will likely lead to him staying on their roster.

It is likely that out of these four players, Westbrook and Šarić would be the players the Nuggets are willing to move. Both have had underwhelming seasons thus far, and they will likely not net Denver a big return. Both should still see some interest as Westbrook has shown flashes of being a solid backup point guard and Šarić has proven in the past that he can be a key role player on a contending team.

The Nuggets have a lot of decisions to make before the deadline, but with their play this season, they must make a move to challenge teams at the top of the West.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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