The Denver Nuggets have a real chance at making a run at an NBA Championship this season. Nikola Jokic is one of the best players in the world, and even when he went down, the Nuggets still managed to maintain their place as one of the best teams in the Western Conference. They aren’t that far behind the first-place Oklahoma City Thunder.
And now, with all of the Giannis Antetokounmpos running around, the Denver Nuggets could have a perfect chance to capitalize. Obviously, the Nuggets aren’t a real team to consider as a potential landing spot for Antetokounmpo, but they could add some of the pieces that become available in the aftermath.
But who would those players be?
Nuggets could act as third team in Giannis Antetokounmpo trade
Well, one of the teams the Nuggets should keep an eye on is the New York Knicks, as they have some pieces they could definitely want on their roster.
New York is firmly in the mix for Antetokounmpo. They are one of the top teams being mentioned as a potential suitor for the Bucks big man, and they are supposedly willing to make an aggressive offer.
But what does that mean? Who could they give up? And which players they do end upgiving up would the Bucks actually want to keep in a potential deal? And which ones could they flip?
That last question is the one the Nuggets should take a particular interest in. Because if the Knicks end up trading valuable veterans in the deal, the Bucks may rather flip them than keep them.
Josh Hart could be a fun name to keep track of. If the Knicks shipped him out in the deal, the Nuggets could offer them a package that includes a guy like Julian Strawther to take him in.
But perhaps the most interesting potential addition the Nuggets could look to target as the third team (or an after-the-fact team) in an Antetokounmpo trade is Mitchell Robinson.
If they could somehow land Robinson to back up Jokic, it could be an absolute dream addition. Plus, he’s on an expiring contract, so he may not be super expensive.
Adding Robinson’s defense, and especially his rebounding, behind Jokic could help take the Nuggets’ bench to the next level.
Denver has a real chance to compete in the Western Conference this season, and finding a way to get involved in an Antetokounmpo trade could be a quiet way for them to improve their roster at the deadline.