The NBA trade deadline has come and gone and the Nuggets failed to make a move. It was disappointing, yet predictable; a sad reminder of the team’s past mistakes. But the reality of the situation is that the Nuggets still have a roster lacking depth and versatility. They have a lot of weaknesses for a team with championship aspirations.
Despite the lackluster deadline, now is no time to be hanging any heads. Life moves fast in the NBA and we’re already on to the next transaction cycle; the buyout market. Veteran players, generally in the final year of their contracts, who have no further utility to their current teams are eligible to be waived.
If they clear waivers, they can hit free agency and sign with any team in the league. This is the final chance for contending teams to make upgrades to their rosters before the playoffs. Denver absolutely has to take advantage here and add a rotation player.
There are a couple of wrinkles that make things tough for the Nuggets. For one, their roster is full so they’ll need to cut a player to sign anyone. That will cost ownership money, but they simply have to bite that bullet if there’s a chance for a real upgrade.
The other thing working against the Nuggets is the rule in the new CBA that doesn’t allow teams over the first apron to sign any buyout players who were originally making more than the $12.8 million midlevel exception.
Given those parameters, there are still plenty of players who could help the Nuggets immediately. Here are three that could step into the rotation and help the team attack key areas of weaknesses right away.
1.) Jaden Springer
Springer is a hard-nosed defensive guard and an absolute dog. The Celtics dumped him for tax purposes and the Rockets, with a very crowded guard rotation, bought him out of his $4 million salary. Springer is an inconsistent offensive player at best, but he could come in and be the Nuggets’ best perimeter defender tomorrow.
He’s a true shutdown guy who can take the other team’s best guard on any given night. His offensive struggles could be masked by playing alongside Nikola Jokic. He can cut and finish and make an occasional three if left unguarded. He’d be an immense upgrade in the Nuggets’ biggest area of weakness.
2.) Daniel Theis
Another area where the Nuggets need help is backup center. The DeAndre Jordan minutes have been surprisingly not completely awful, but he shouldn’t be playing real minutes in the year 2025. Zeke Nnaji has had a few solid games but he’s clearly more of a power forward and let’s be real, these performances are fools' gold.
Theis is a rock solid two-way proven veteran NBA center. He could provide steady minutes while Jokic is on the bench and take a major burden off the team’s overtaxed frontcourt players. They could also breathe a little easier knowing someone like Theis is available for a few backup minutes in the playoffs.
3.) Josh Richardson
A 3&D wing would be the ultimate score for the Nuggets at this point in the game and J-Rich would fit the bill better than anyone. Stylistically, Richardson is a true two-guard in the mold of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. He hasn’t had the same success in the league as KCP, but he possesses a lot of the same skills and could make a huge impact on a contending team.
He’s not that level of a defender, but he’s still solid and would be an upgrade on what the team currently employs on the perimeter. He’s also a capable handler, someone who can attack a closeout and a steady three-point shooter. There’s no reason to think he couldn’t thrive playing with Jokic.