The Nuggets have done just enough this season to stay on the outer limits of contenders, but it’s clear the team needs more juice. The team has made it clear they are looking for an upgrade in the trade market and they’ve been connected to a number of splashy players in rumors and reports.
But to this point, nothing has happened because the team is in a tough spot. They owe it to their franchise player, Nikola Jokic to do everything possible to maximize his prime. He has proven he can carry a team to a title already and it could be generations before the Nuggets have another opportunity like this.
They need to capitalize at all costs; the future be damned. If there’s a move they can make to help Jokic’s odds of bringing another championship to Denver, they absolutely have to pull the trigger. But the team is so depleted of resources, that’s proving to be nearly impossible.
We’ve already heard the Nuggets in the mix for such players as Zach LaVine, Jimmy Butler, Dorian Finney-Smith, Jonas Valanciunas, Jordan Poole, and others. Yet nothing has materialized as it doesn’t seem like the Nuggets have the assets to get deals done, as evidenced by them losing out on DFS to the Lakers.
Report: Bradley Beal would waive no-trade clause to play for Nuggets
In a surprising twist, a report came out on Monday from Phoenix sports legend, John Gambadoro, that struggling Suns star Bradley Beal would waive his no-trade clause for Miami, LA, and Denver. It’s bizarre to hear Denver in the mix with these other glamour markets, but here we are.
As for Beal the no-trade looms large. He could have went to Milwaukee before he ended up in Phoenix but that was turned down. Have heard he would waive no trade for LA, Miami, Denver but I do believe there are a few others that he could ultimately decide work for him.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) January 6, 2025
Part of this is surely Beal being realistic about his market. If he is going to get moved, the Nuggets are one of the only teams that could possibly offer him a large role and an opportunity to win. Playing with Nikola Jokic has brought out the best in a lot of players and maybe Beal is hoping he’ll get a career resurgence playing alongside the MVP.
Trading for Bradley Beal would be Calvin Booth’s biggest mistake
Having said that, the Nuggets would be insane to even consider a deal here. Just because Beal wants Denver, doesn’t mean Denver should want Beal. He’s a big name and a player who once led the league in scoring, but those days are long gone.
Sadly, it appears that Beal is more name than game these days. He’s averaging his fewest points and assists per game since his age-22 season and during the team’s recent 4-game losing skid, he put up just 12.5 points per game on 35% shooting, prompting Phoenix to move Beal to the bench.
Perhaps the even bigger issue than Beal’s play is his contract, which is among the worst in the league. Already 31, Beal makes $50.2 million this season, $53.7 million next season, and he has a player-option for $57.1 million in the 2026-27 season.
To put that in terms that may be more familiar to Nuggets fans, Beal makes almost as much as Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray combined, is several years older than both of them, and is currently having a worse season than both of them. This is a situation to avoid at all costs.