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Under-the-radar trade targets for the Denver Nuggets

By Sean Carroll

Denver Nuggets under-the-radar trade candidates: Aaron Nesmith #26 of the Boston Celtics brings the ball up court during the third quarter of the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden on 22 Dec. 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets under-the-radar trade candidates: Aaron Nesmith #26 of the Boston Celtics brings the ball up court during the third quarter of the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden on 22 Dec. 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /
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The Denver Nuggets are in a very interesting position entering the new year. The championship aspirations that the team entered the season with are dashed due to injuries but there are still games to be played and this season is the perfect proving ground for next season’s roster.

Jamal Murray looks like he’ll be ready to play at the start of the 2022-23 season, Michael Porter Jr.’s injury is much more concerning but it’s hard to see an injury lasting longer than a calendar year, and P.J. Dozier should be at full strength next season as well.

In the meantime, the NBA’s MVP, Nikola Jokic, is tearing up the league, playing better than he ever has and it buoying this team on both ends, keeping them around .500 and in the playoff race.

As we creep towards the NBA trade deadline, Tim Connelly and the Denver Nuggets front office need to assess the roster and decide whether there’s a player out there who can help the team win next season.

Denver doesn’t own any highly-regarded first-round picks that would help swing a deal for one of the bigger names on the trade market but with a collection of interesting young pieces and late first-round picks, the Nuggets could move for a more under-the-radar player.

The following names on this list won’t blow fans away, but they’re all about finding untapped potential, trying to find a player that just needs an opportunity or new situation to flourish.

Dennis Smith, Nugg Love, wrote this past week about Jokic’s comments to Serbian media. He asks whether the Denver Nuggets are doing right by Jokic and if he’s essentially wasting a year of his prime with this injury-riddled roster.

No, there’s nothing the team can do about the injury luck but with Jokic playing above his MVP level this season, there’s the thought that a slightly upgraded roster (or tweaked playing time for some of the younger players) could move Denver from the play in spot to a solid playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Here is a list of under-the-radar players that could both help the Nuggets in the present and next season, when it’s time to compete.

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