Josh Kroenke said weeks ago that everything is on the table for the Denver Nuggets this summer, except trading Nikola Jokić. Based on that, fans already knew that Jamal Murray or Aaron Gordon could be on the move, and speaking of trading key players, the Celtics have already shown Ben Tenzer and Jon Wallace what not to do this offseason.
Boston offered Jaylen Brown to Milwaukee in a package for Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks chose the Heat's offer instead, creating an awkward situation for the Celtics and their star guard. It's to the point where they could trade him, not necessarily because they want to, but because of a damaged relationship.
The Nuggets can't afford to do the same with Murray or Gordon, whether that be in a Brown trade or for another player. Denver getting outbid could create the kind of tension that could see Boston trade its 2024 NBA Finals MVP.
It doesn't seem like the Nuggets know not to do that, as Sam Amick of The Athletic reported that Denver isn't actively shopping its players (subscription required):
With that in mind, league sources say they’re fielding calls for their players but not shopping them.
Nuggets can't afford to make mistake Celtics did with Jaylen Brown
Boston wouldn't have made Brown available if it didn't think that it wouldn't get Antetokounmpo, but that's what happened. The Celtics viewed landing Giannis as a worthwhile upgrade for what was already a very good team.
It was only two years ago when Boston won it all, and a year after that, Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles in the playoffs, missing the majority of the 2025-26 season. What was supposed to be a "down" year for the Celtics turned into being the No. 2 seed in the East, though they lost in the first round of the playoffs.
With Tatum expected to be closer to his "normal" self next season, Boston could make another run at a title with him and Brown, but that's only if the latter stays around.
Does it sound familiar?
Putting Murray in a similar situation, only to keep him, could disrupt a Denver team that is still capable of winning a championship with Jokić. The same goes for AG, although to a somewhat lesser degree because of the injuries he dealt with the past couple of seasons. That doesn't downplay his importance to the Nuggets, though.
Denver's focus should be on doing whatever it can (within reason) to make another title run with Jokić, a task that has only grown more challenging with each passing season since 2023. The last thing the Nuggets want to deal with is a disgruntled Murray or AG, as that could lead to an unhappy Jokić, who, as The Stein Line reported, is already considering not signing an extension this summer.
Don't add to what has turned into a chaotic start to the offseason, please.
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