The trade machine is in full swing, and the newest concept is actually a gamble the Denver Nuggets should consider if it presents itself this offseason. The Nuggets would depart with a beloved favorite, Jamal Murray, but they'd have some building blocks for the future, and tremendous upside for the 2026-27 season and beyond, too. It's certainly worth weighing.
The newest concept out of Bleacher Report comes courtesy of Grant Hughes, and it's a decent return for the first-time All-Star Murray. Hughes proposes a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers that nets defense, upside, and future picks.
Nuggets get: Jrue Holiday, Scoot Henderson, the 2028 first-round pick via Milwaukee, and the 2029 first-round pick via Boston.
Trail Blazers get: Jamal Murray
Yes, the Nuggets lose Murray and his offense for 2026-27, but the positives warrant serious consideration.
Holiday and Henderson could be great replacements
Jrue Holiday and Scoot Henderson could be fantastic in the backcourt in Denver. Holiday would provide the perimeter defense the Nuggets missed against the Timberwolves, which allowed the Wolves guards to get into the paint as much as they wanted. And Henderson would provide dynamic athleticism with long-term potential.
Holiday, at 35 and in his 17th NBA season, still started 51 games for the Blazers, averaging 16.3 points, 6.1 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.0 steals. He's in the twilight of his career, but he was just an All-Star for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2022-23.
Holiday has been a member of the NBA All-Defensive teams six times, and he would provide an immediate upgrade for the Nuggets' defense in 2026-27. And offensively, he's a career 37.0% from three, so he could feed off the open shots from Nikola Jokic as well.
Henderson played in just 30 games due to injuries this year, making 10 starts, but he performed well in the limited action. Henderson averaged 14.2 points, 3.7 assists, and 0.9 steals per game in 24.9 minutes of floor time.
But Henderson's upside is still there at only 21 years old, and a change of scenery could unlock the talent that got him to the number three pick in the 2023 NBA draft.
And if he pans out, Henderson is extension eligible. If he doesn't, the Nuggets gambled and lost on the upside bet, but they could have a serviceable bench player. And incoming future building blocks.
The draft picks help a lot for the future
The two first-round picks are a big value in return for the Nuggets. The Nuggets don't have a lot of draft resources in the future. The only second-round pick they have after this season, courtesy of Atlanta, will be in 2028 if it lands between 31 and 33. Otherwise, it goes to Washington. No other seconds are on the books out to 2032.
The first round doesn't look much better, and that's why the additional firsts are so valuable. It's a strong idea that looks pretty good for the Nuggets on paper and in thought. It's certainly an offer worth weighing.
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