The Denver Nuggets have the pleasure of watching the two-time reigning NBA MVP, Nikola Jokic, walk out onto the court every night wearing their jersey. But, even with the MVP carrying the team, they have been unable to find much success in the postseason.
This season, a lot of that has to do with his co-stars, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., being out with injuries. Murray spent the season sidelined as he recovered from a torn ACL, while Porter played in only nine games, hampered by a back injury. He underwent a procedure and missed the remainder of the season as well.
Despite not having them in the lineup, Denver still won 48 games and finished sixth in the Western Conference. They were defeated rather easily by the Golden State Warriors in the first round and that is something that the organization doesn’t want to see again.
Matt Moore of Action Network shared some intel about the Denver Nuggets, who are looking to shake things up this offseason. Two long-time rotation players are expected to be on the trade block and they are going to be aggressive looking to build a contender around Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr.
“As such, instead of the usual period of trying to gain footing, Denver is expected to hit the offseason running. Both Will Barton and Monte Morris are believed to be available in trade talks from league sources outside Denver, while internally Denver is reciting a plan for aggressive moves to build a true contender around Nikola Jokic with Jamal Murray and MPJ returning for opening night.”
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 3 Dream Offseason Trade Targets For Denver Nuggets
Barton has been with Denver for more than seven seasons, as he was acquired from the Portland Trail Blazers in a trade in 2015. Morris was a second-round pick of the Nuggets in 2017 and upped his value this season showing that he is more than capable of handling starting point guard duties.
Denver also possesses an intriguing young player in Zeke Nnaji that can be included in trade talks to help bolster a trade package. Nnaji possesses prototypical stretch big-man skills, he just needs to land with a team that can provide him rotation minutes.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 3 Dream Offseason Trade Targets For Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are on the right path with the Big 3 that they have put together, they just need better luck when it comes to remaining healthy. If they can get that and tweak the supporting cast, they will be contending in the Western Conference as early as next season.
