As soon as the NBA trade deadline passed and the reality settled in that the Nuggets came up empty, the front office and fans alike, immediately pivoted to free agents and the buyout market. Everyone knew the team needed to upgrade the roster, and the Nuggets expressed interest in a number of trade candidates, but they didn’t have the assets to get a deal done.
Denver swung and missed at a number of role players, making bids at guys like Jonas Valanciunas, Cody Martin, Terance Mann, and others before ultimately being turned down for better offers elsewhere around the league.
The Nuggets’ lack of assets and financial flexibility did them in and made any realistic upgrade practically impossible. The team is now forced to get creative and a little bit desperate. The rotation is a piece or two short and Calvin Booth will need to buyout current players at the end of the bench and sign ones who can actually contribute.
There was one potential dream scenario for Denver that would have involved several things working out but could have potentially saved the season. That path was former Nugget and champion being bought out, hitting the open market, and re-signing with Denver for the rest of the season.
Brown reportedly will stay with Pelicans for rest of season after trade
But that dream came crashing down on Thursday shortly after the trade deadline. Brown was dealt from Toronto to New Orleans as part of the blockbuster trade that sent Brandon Ingram to the Raptors.
The Pelicans have the second-worst record in the NBA and Brown is a veteran player on an expiring contract. There was plenty of speculation that he could be a buyout candidate and would sign with a contender for the stretch run and playoffs.
That plan proved to be fruitless as NBA insider Jake Fischer reported shortly after the deadline that Brown is “not a buyout candidate”, the Pelicans are planning to keep him and hope to work out a new deal at the end of the season if he plays well. Any teams that were holding out hope for Brown should give up on that fantasy.
Bruce Brown Jr. is not a buyout candidate. The Pelicans are keeping Brown, sources said, and both sides sound open to a new deal at season’s end. Brown should also have plenty of interest in free agency, if he continues a strong return from injury.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) February 7, 2025
Nuggets' path to signing Brown was always murky at best
A reunion with Brown in Denver was always a long shot despite their history, chemistry, and mutual interest. Due to his salary, the Nuggets wouldn’t have been allowed to sign him, even if he hit free agency unless they shed money to duck under the first apron.
That would have required some serious cap-clearing deals ahead of the deadline, and sending out at least one of Zeke Nnaji or Dario Saric. Cap gymnastics would have been necessary and difficult. There was a way, but it was complicated and challenging. Would it have been worth it for Brown? Probably, but it would not have been easy and would have created several new challenges.
That’s all moot at this point, as the Nuggets didn’t shed the money and Brown won’t be bought out anyway. There are other names on the market and the Nuggets should absolutely look into signing some; it could help the team quite a bit. But it’s unlikely they can add someone as impactful as Brown at this point, and that’s the harsh reality.