The Denver Nuggets were dismantled by the Minnesota Timberwolves in six games, 4-2, in the opening round of the 2026 NBA playoffs, exposing many roster needs. The Nuggets couldn't get a stop in the paint and they lacked perimeter pressure, allowing the Timberwolves guards, any of them, to get into the paint at will. The Nuggets had no answer. Now, a roster shakeup is coming, and no one is safe but Nikola Jokic.
That's the word from ESPN's Shams Charania. The Nuggets will only be securing Jokic, and all other players on the roster are available for trade, cuts, or more.
"There are going to be real roster changes coming," said Charania. "They're going to get calls and listen to calls for everyone on the roster besides Nikola Jokic."
The Nuggets need an overhaul
The Nuggets have only 11 roster spots tied up right now, including the eventual 2026 first-round pick, and they'll need to make additions to field a team. But they're already pushed right up to the NBA's second-apron tax, and they're well past the luxury tax threshold. Moves will have to be made.
And after the collapse against the Tim Connelly-built Timberwolves, the Nuggets need an overhaul. They need defensive help first and foremost, and athleticism next.
The Nuggets' two best defenders, and most athletic players, Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson, were both missing for the Timberwolves series, and it showed. The Nuggets had no answer for Jaden McDaniels, Ayo Dosunmu, and whoever else hit the paint.
More importantly, the Nuggets just need a reset. Jokic said himself after the series that the Nuggets were "far away" from competing for a championship, given their first-round exit.
Let the trade speculation begin
Trade speculation is already running rampant on social media, and it's already pointing a finger in a couple of directions. The Boston Celtics could be looking at a Derrick White trade, and that would absolutely shore up the defense on the perimeter. The Celtics also have Neemias Queta on a team option, a backup center who played very well throughout the season, who would be a great backup for Jokic, or he could even be featured alongside Jokic on a "big" lineup. They could sign and trade Queta.
The other rampant speculation running around now involves the Orlando Magic. The Magic are in a world of hurt financially, and they may be moving Jalen Suggs. Suggs is a defensive point guard, but he also just flopped in the first round in some games, as Jamal Murray did for the Nuggets.
It's going to be an interesting offseason, and it's already off to a fast start. The trade speculation will be coming in hot and heavy for the Nuggets as we approach the true start of the offseason in late June.
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