The Denver Nuggets are aiming to rebound from back-to-back losses in the Western Conference semifinals, and they have already made major changes this summer.
The Nuggets traded Michael Porter Jr. and a first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Cameron Johnson in June. They also moved for Jonas Valanciunas to give three-time MVP Nikola Jokic a more reliable backup. After adding Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown in free agency, Denver appears ready to contend with added depth, though the club may continue to eye more trades if its retooled roster struggles.
The Western Conference is loaded with stars, and the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder are one of many teams that will challenge the Nuggets. Still, with the right pieces around Jokic, the sky is seemingly the limit for Denver.
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Nuggets land Ayo Dosunmu in blockbuster 3-team trade idea
Dan Favale of Bleacher Report recently compiled a mock trade that would strengthen Denver's second unit, though it would also send out a promising young forward in Peyton Watson.
Here's Favale’s proposed trade:
Nuggets receive: Justin Champagnie, Ayo Dosunmu
Bulls receive: Zeke Nnaji, Peyton Watson, 2026 second-round pick, 2028 first-round pick swap (top-10 protected via DEN)
Wizards receive: 2032 second-round pick (via DEN)
Watson is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is set to become a restricted free agent next offseason. With Christian Braun also on the same timeline, it appears more likely the Nuggets will secure an extension with the latter, who is coming off a breakout season in the starting five.
Using Watson as a trade piece now is a viable option, and Denver could dangle his defensive upside to acquire added depth. Additionally, Nnaji has underwhelmed with the Nuggets, and the team will also get 2024 first-round pick DaRon Holmes back from a torn Achilles that he sustained before what would have been his rookie campaign.
Bolstering the bench is a top priority for the Nuggets, who didn't have any enough depth to overcome the Thunder in a seven-game series. Dosunmu is on an expiring contract but has proven to be an impactful defender. He's been relatively inconsistent from beyond the arc over his four-year career, though he shot 40.3 percent from deep in 2023-24.
Champagnie is also coming off a breakout season and would add solid three-and-D potential to the second unit. He shot 38.3 percent from three-point range and was a solid spot-up shooter last season. The 24-year-old forward is also under contract through his team option in the 2027-28 season.
If Denver doesn't feel it can retain Watson, trading him before the deadline would be realistic. Adding solid defensive depth on the wing would also be another step in the right direction.
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