The Denver Nuggets enter the NBA trade deadline period with minimal assets to facilitate significant roster upgrades, possessing only one future second-round pick and limited tradeable contracts. The franchise used its last available first-round pick in July, attaching a 2032 selection to facilitate the Michael Porter Jr. trade with the Brooklyn Nets for Cam Johnson.
Without adequate draft capital, negotiating with deadline sellers becomes exponentially more difficult. Teams looking to rebuild prioritize future picks over present-day players, leaving Denver with few avenues for improvement.
The Nuggets could theoretically offer players to acquire talent, but their nine-man rotation presents complications. Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon are considered borderline untouchable franchise leaders currently playing elite basketball.
Christian Braun is poison-pilled, making him especially difficult to trade due to salary-matching complexities. His $4.9 million current salary would count as outgoing money for Denver, while incoming money for acquiring teams would calculate to approximately $21.7 million based on extension averaging.
Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Jonas Valanciunas provide value on cost-effective contracts. Trading these veterans would yield minimal returns while weakening Denver’s rotation depth.
Johnson remains the most realistic trade candidate if Denver pursues an upgrade. The starting small forward shoots 39% from three-point range and contributes winning basketball despite individual struggles earlier this season.
The Nuggets sit approximately $400,000 over the luxury tax threshold. The Kroenke family might pursue minor cost-cutting moves involving Zeke Nnaji, Julian Strawther, Jalen Pickett, or Hunter Tyson to finish below the tax line.
Denver attempted to trade Nnaji at the 2024 deadline but failed due to league-wide concerns about his $8.2 million annual salary through 2028. NBA rules prevent teams from carrying two vacant roster spots, complicating salary-dump scenarios.