The NBA’s buyout market always draws attention this time of year - it’s the last real chance for contenders to tweak their rosters before the playoff push. But for all the noise it generates, the reality is often underwhelming.
More often than not, the players who hit the market are there for a reason - either they’ve aged out of their prime, struggled to stay healthy, or simply haven’t been difference-makers in recent years. That’s why, for the Denver Nuggets, the smartest move might be no move at all.
Leading into the trade deadline, there were rumblings that Denver was in the market for a backup point guard - a position that’s been a bit of a question mark since the offseason. But when you look at the names potentially hitting the buyout market, it’s hard to argue that any of them would be a clear upgrade over what the Nuggets already have in-house.
Russell Westbrook, Lonzo Ball, D’Angelo Russell, and Cole Anthony are some of the names floating around. And while those names might pop off the screen for casual fans, the fit - and the upside - just isn’t there.
Westbrook had a stint in Denver last season, and it didn’t end with much fanfare. A reunion doesn’t make sense for either side.
Ball, once one of the league’s most promising young guards, has struggled mightily with injuries and hasn’t looked like himself in quite some time. Meanwhile, Russell and Anthony have both had their moments in the league, but neither has been a consistent contributor to winning basketball in recent seasons.
That’s where the Nuggets’ own roster depth comes into focus - and frankly, it’s been one of the more underrated strengths of this team. Bruce Brown and rookie Jalen Pickett have stepped up in meaningful ways, giving Denver reliable minutes when Jamal Murray is off the floor. They’re not just holding the line - they’re contributing to wins.
Between Murray’s shot creation, Nikola Jokić’s all-world playmaking, and the secondary contributions from Brown, Pickett, Aaron Gordon, Cam Johnson, and the emerging Peyton Watson, the Nuggets have plenty of offensive firepower. This isn’t a team that’s hurting for shot creation or ball movement. If anything, their offensive engine is humming just fine - when everyone’s healthy.
And that’s the real issue here. Health, not roster construction, is what’s held this team back from hitting its full stride.
Denver hasn’t had a fully healthy stretch since the early part of the season, and that’s where the inconsistency has crept in. But when everyone is available, this team has the tools to go toe-to-toe with anyone in the league.
That’s why chasing a buyout addition - especially one with a questionable fit or limited upside - doesn’t make much sense. The Nuggets’ best path forward might be the one they’re already on: trusting the guys who’ve earned their stripes all season and focusing on getting everyone back on the court.
The playoffs are about continuity, chemistry, and trust. Denver has that already - they just need to be whole.
A flashy name in the buyout market might grab headlines, but it’s not what this team needs. What they need is health.
If they can get that, they’ve already got everything else.