We now know that Kevin Durant will be joining the Houston Rockets for the 2025-26 NBA season, but the Denver Nuggets became a surprise player in the KD sweepstakes late in the process. What that reveals to us is that Denver is likely still willing to make a major shakeup, and a potential trade for another star player could be on the horizon.
Whether the Nuggets are able to actually seal the deal on a trade is uncertain, but their intentions feel relatively clear: Taking a leap of faith to maximize the team's championship window during Nikola Jokic's prime is of the utmost importance.
This should obviously be a reassuring thing for fans to see. In the stacked Western Conference, Denver simply doesn't have forever. Taking a swing for the fences sooner rather than later is going to be the right move for the front office to make this summer.
It's pretty clear that what the Nuggets need is a second star-level player alongside Jokic, that can be a more dependent and reliable option than anyone currently on the roster. Relieving pressure off number 15 is a must. If Denver is going to trade one of their core players, Michael Porter Jr. continues to feel like the odd man out.
The Nuggets may try to trade Michael Porter Jr. for an elite second option
Jamal Murray is still too important to your process if you're the Nuggets, when you factor in all that he does and his decade-long chemistry with Jokic. On the other hand, Porter looks to be a more viable trade option. We know who he is at this point, and if the team is set on making a big move, MPJ probably makes the most sense to trade.
Porter's combination of size and shooting ability are significant, but it's his inconsistency and injury troubles that make him a viable trade candidate. Denver could easily level up by dealing him away if they devise the right package that includes ample draft picks as well.
The Nuggets have clearly shown us that they're willing to do something significant this offseason by throwing their hat in the Kevin Durant trade conversation. This may ultimately end up being the smoke that leads us to the fire.
There's little question at this point that Michael Porter Jr. is Denver's most valuable asset that they'd probably be open to actually moving. If a deal exists for the Nuggets to add a more high-level option that can be a legitimate second option to Jokic, it certainly looks like it's something they're going to pursue.