By most accounts, the Denver Nuggets still need a backup point guard. Tyus Jones is the current "answer" that the team landed on this offseason, mainly for his elite ball control. Even if he is what the team is looking for, they still need more depth at guard, and they also need to get under the second-apron luxury tax penalty threshold. They could accomplish both of those needs with one trade involving the Memphis Grizzlies for point guard Scotty Pippen Jr.
The Grizzlies currently have 19 players on the roster, four over the 15-player max. And they've got depth at point guard, plus cap space to absorb extra salary, making them the perfect trade target, as long as they would take an offer for Zeke Nnaji and a couple of second-round draft picks. The speculative trade works in the trade machine, too.
Nuggets receive: Scotty Pippen Jr.
Grizzlies receive: Zeke Nnaji, the Nuggets' 2028 2nd round pick from the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Nuggets' 2031 second-round pick from the Sacramento Kings.
The only unfortunate part of this trade would be losing the draft capital that the Nuggets just acquired this offseason, but that's the price to pay to cut salary in the NBA.
The Nuggets need to get on the phone with the Grizzlies
This trade proposal could be the perfect scenario for the Nuggets. The Nuggets are currently $3.15 million over the second apron according to ESPN's Bobby Marks. But Pippen is set to make just $2.46 million this season, while Nnaji is on the books for $7.46 million. That clears the second apron issue with a little bit of room to spare.
The trade idea also gets the Nuggets added guard depth for a player who may not make the rotation for a seventh year in a row in Nnaji. Pippen had an injury-riddled 2025-26, but in the 10 games he did play, he averaged 11.4 points and 4.7 assists per game while also playing strong defense, swiping 1.9 steals. Pippen creates great pressure at the point of attack, and he's averaging 1.4 steals through his four-year NBA career. He's a much better defender than Jones.
However, Jones is the much better choice for ball control. But at least the Nuggets could have their choice of ball control or a better offense plus defense if they traded for Pippen. The Nuggets are too deep at forward for Nnaji to carve out time for himself, so this trade idea really would make a lot of sense for the Nuggets.
All that's left is for the Nuggets to pick up the phone and call the Grizzlies to see if this would work. The Grizzlies will be making some roster moves ahead of the season as it is. Perhaps the trade idea makes too much sense on paper. But that's exactly why the Nuggets should look into it.
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