No, the Denver Nuggets aren't trying to trade Nikola Jokić. He hasn't requested a trade, either. But because he is putting off an extension for the second straight offseason, which is understandable, as it will set him up for more money and security next summer, there is an opening for speculation with his $62.8 million player option for 2027-28.
Yossi Gozlan and Sam Quinn discussed Jokić and the Nuggets' future on the latest episode of the "Third Apron Podcast," and Gozlan tried to think of a trade scenario that would at least entice Denver if the center opted in, giving Denver a chance to get something in return. Quinn cut in and said:
"It's Dylan Harper. If the Spurs would give up Dylan Harper, I would do it, and they wouldn't, so."
That's really all that needs to be said about that.
Harper is the exact talented young player that the Nuggets would want in return for Jokić (plus more, of course), but the Spurs aren't letting him slip through the cracks like that, not even for someone as talented as the three-time MVP. If San Antonio were in a dire, win-now position with Victor Wembanyama, there would be a shot, but the team is coming off a remarkable NBA Finals run.
Harper, who turned 20 in March, averaged 18 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in 31 minutes across five games in the NBA Finals, shooting 49.3% from the field. Yeah, he's not going anywhere.
Spurs would never trade Harper for Jokic (and vice versa)
The odds of Jokić deciding that he wants to leave Denver are higher than the odds that San Antonio would trade Harper after his second NBA season, and that says a lot, considering the superstar has said numerous times that he wants to stay with the Nuggets.
Until a deal becomes official, which we know won't happen until next summer, there is a risk that Jokić will change his mind. A few factors could play into that, particularly Denver coming up short in the NBA playoffs again, but even then, it's a safe bet to take his word that he's right where he wants to be.
Just like the Nuggets don't want to see Jokić go, the Spurs don't plan on getting rid of Harper anytime soon, and that's even if he hits a sophomore slump that dampens his value by just a little bit. He'd have to forget how to play basketball entirely for San Antonio to even think about trading him, and that's not going to happen.
The Spurs are in a position where they don't need to consider trading for Jokić, which, except for a few other teams (like the Thunder and Knicks), isn't the view nearly every other NBA team shares. San Antonio is a lot better a lot sooner than many thought, and while you point to Wembanyama as the biggest reason for that, Harper deserves his credit after just one season.
Denver would never trade Jokić, anyway, unless he explicitly asked, and again, he has done the opposite.
Add us as a preferred source on Google