Why the Nuggets are smart to stay out of the Kevin Durant circus

Kevin Durant is back in the trade rumor cycle, per a new ESPN report from Shams Charania on Wednesday that sent the NBA’s rumor mill into overdrive.

The story notes that Durant and his business partner are “sifting through trade scenarios” away from the Phoenix Suns. Five teams emerged as primary suitors: Houston, San Antonio, Miami, Minnesota, and New York, with other “wild-card suitors” reportedly circling.

One team that’s seemingly not making calls? Your Denver Nuggets.

And I believe that’s the right call. While it might seem curious that a title-contending team led by a generational superstar wouldn’t at least explore Durant’s availability, fit matters. Despite his individual greatness, KD has proven time and again that he’s not exactly plug and play when it comes to culture, the buzzword of the Nuggets’ offseason.

The Obvious Suspects Lined Up

The teams expressing interest in Durant make sense: They’re organizations desperate for star power or win-now validation.

The Houston Rockets possess the young assets and flexibility to make a compelling offer. Miami represents Pat Riley’s perpetual hunt for aging superstars. The Timberwolves' new ownership group seems determined to maximize Anthony Edwards’ ascending trajectory. And the Knicks remain eternally convinced that one more big name will solve New York City’s NBA title drought.

Each franchise sees Durant as its missing piece. He remains an incredible basketball player, a walking mismatch, a top-10 all-time scorer, and the kind of player who can bend a playoff series. Each believes the soon-to-be 37-year-old forward, still averaging 26.6 points per game, can transform their trajectory overnight.

But Denver? Silence.

The Nuggets’ Front Office Problem

Denver’s absence from the list of admirers isn’t accidental but, in my opinion, strategic. The Nuggets currently operate without a general manager, a glaring organizational void that typically disqualifies any franchise from significant trade negotiations. (To that point, Matt Moore of The Denver Dig wrote that agents and executives around the league aren’t clear on who to reach out to in order to make a deal with Denver.)

How do you navigate complex contract negotiations, asset evaluations, future planning, and the stewardship of the rest of Nikola Jokic’s prime without a primary decision-maker in place? I’m guessing the Nuggets don’t plan to do so. Smart organizations recognize their limitations.

To me, the timing is quite telling. While other franchises scramble to piece together packages for Durant’s $54.7 million 2025-26 salary, Denver remains focused on nailing organizational alignment and stability. Hiring a GM or president of basketball operations who understands that and will work to effectively collaborate with the Kroenkes and new coach David Adelman is the next step down that path.

Roster Construction vs. Star Chasing

Beyond the administrative complications, Denver’s roster construction presents another insurmountable hurdle to acquiring Kevin Durant. The Nuggets lack the financial flexibility necessary to absorb Durant’s massive contract without gutting the championship core. Trading for KD would likely require dismantling the supporting cast that helped deliver Denver’s first NBA title.

Consider the mathematical reality: Durant’s contract demands significant salary matching. The Nuggets don’t possess Houston or San Antonio’s treasure trove of young talent or Miami’s tradeable veteran contracts. Denver would need to package Michael Porter Jr. or Jamal Murray and other young assets to make the numbers work.

But they shouldn’t want to.

The Nuggets’ championship formula was built around sacrifice and selflessness. Jokic elevated teammates. Murray elevated as a secondary scorer. Aaron Gordon transformed from a primary option to a perfect complementary player. Everyone bought into collective success over individual accolades.

Durant’s espoused philosophy — separating individual excellence from team basketball — and recent track record of organizational departures suggest someone uncomfortable with the compromises championship basketball demands. Championships aren’t typically won by separating individual excellence from team basketball.

And individual excellence has never been KD’s problem. It’s the other stuff. Durant’s track record since leaving Oklahoma City tells a damning story. Golden State? Departed after winning titles with a historically great team, seeking individual validation after the infamous on-court altercation with Draymond Green. Brooklyn?

Burned bridges with the organization that bent over backward to accommodate his demands. Phoenix? Now actively shopping him after watching the locker room fracture in just over two full seasons.

The pattern repeats: Arrive with championship expectations, clash with organizational culture, demand departure when results disappoint.

Let Other Teams Chase the Chaos

While at least five other franchises compete for Durant’s services, the Nuggets can focus on more pressing concerns. Hiring a competent and collaborative general manager tops the priority list. Addressing bench depth, perimeter shooting, and defensive consistency follows closely behind. These unsexy improvements matter much more than adding an aging superstar.

The Kevin Durant sweepstakes will dominate NBA news cycles through draft night and beyond. A team will mortgage its future for his services. A front office will convince itself that one more star guarantees championship glory.

I hope our Nuggets continue building intelligently, patiently, and sustainably, not babysitting egos or experimenting with personalities that haven’t worked elsewhere.

Sometimes the smartest move is the one you don’t make.