As the Denver Nuggets ponder what went wrong in Game 7, the resolution to the epitome they'll soon come to is painfully clear: It's time to pursue Kevin Durant. For as big of a leap as that may appear to be, it's a commitment the Nuggets must at least consider if they hope to maximize the 2025 offseason.
Denver is short on depth, loaded with big contracts, and in desperate need of a player who can step up in ways Michael Porter Jr. simply hasn't been able to.
Porter isn't why Denver lost this series, nor should he be labeled as the singular reason the franchise has fallen in consecutive second-round appearances. He did, however, manage just one 20-point performance in 14 tries during the 2025 NBA Playoffs, exceeding 10 points twice in seven games during the second-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
If Denver decides that it's time to move on from Porter, then there's reason to believe it would call Phoenix and begin admittedly ambitious negotiations for Durant. That belief was supported by a recent blend of opinion, historical reporting, and educated analysis by a respected figure.
Sam Amick of The Athletic recently told The Ringer that the Nuggets have seriously considered a trade for Durant in the past.
For those who can't watch the video, Amick said the following in regard to Durant, Porter, and the Nuggets:
"They've looked at [KD] in the past. Like, seriously looked at it...Michael Porter Jr., of course, would be the guy going out in any of those deals. Contractually, he's the only one who makes sense. And in terms of value, he had a very good year."
There's no guaranteeing that the Nuggets can convince the Suns to agree to a trade, but they're in a better position to do so than some might presume.
Kevin Durant the perfect Michael Porter Jr. replacement for Nuggets
Clearly, Phoenix isn't going to bite if Denver simply offers up Porter in a deal for Durant. He's a 26-year-old wing who averaged 18.2 points and 7.0 rebounds on .504/.395/.768 shooting, however, and has long looked the part of a player who would benefit from a change of scenery.
If Phoenix believes that Porter can thrive alongside Devin Booker, then it stands to reason that they'd accept the inclusion of a wing who still has a degree of youth and untapped potential on his side.
The logistics of filling out the rest of the trade are tricky, but Amick's mention of Denver's prior interest is a promising sign. It's also worth noting that the Nuggets can combine a 2031 first-round draft pick with multiple pick swaps for the 37-year-old.
Constructing the ideal offer will decide how far Amick's mention of interest goes, but it's time for Denver to go all-in on helping Nikola Jokic win a second ring.
There's an understandable level of trepidation even as this article is written, as Durant is 37 and has dealt with a significant number of injuries in recent years. He's entering the final season of his current contract, however, and remains one of the most gifted players in the NBA.
For a Nuggets team that has every reason to build around the core of Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Christian Braun, it's time to swing for the fences while the latter's contract is still team friendly.
Nuggets must go all-in on Jokic's prime—while Braun is still underpaid
One of the primary reasons the Nuggets have overcome Porter's inconsistency has been the ability to field starting-caliber contributions from Braun while he plays for a fraction of his value. He made less than $3.1 million in 2024-25 and will receive a hair under $5 million in 2025-26.
If Braun sustains his current level of play through 2025-26, however, then the Nuggets will likely need to pay out a significant annual salary to keep him in town—and their financial flexibility will decrease exponentially.
That makes going all-in on Durant in 2025 the perfect opportunity to give the current core a rejuvenating push toward a title. The former MVP is on an expiring contract, meaning Denver could adjust its financial strategy as soon as 2026. He also remains one of the most dominant scorers on the planet.
In 2024-25, Durant casually averaged 26.6 points per game on .527/.430/.839 shooting—good for an eFG% of .598 that comfortably cleared the league average of .543.
Furthermore, Durant has appeared in 137 of 164 games over the past two seasons—thus equating to 68.5 appearances per campaign. He was top 10 in MVP voting and named All-NBA Second team as recently as 2023-24, and would bring significant postseason value to Denver as a two-time Finals MVP.
Durant is an ambitious target yielding fair concerns about his age and injury history, but on a team with Jokic, one of the smoothest scorers in NBA history could find it even easier to elevate a true contender.