Michael Porter Jr.’s exit to Brooklyn last summer did more than help Denver dodge the luxury tax. It also sent the Nuggets’ 2032 first-round pick to the Nets, and now that choice is looking a lot bigger than a simple salary dump.
The trade brought Cameron Johnson back to Denver and accomplished the immediate money-saving goal. But if the long-term picture goes sideways, that pick could end up carrying real weight. Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report put Denver’s 2032 first-rounder seventh on his list of the NBA’s best trade assets, a ranking that lands with a thud when you think about how far out that selection is.
That uncertainty is the whole point. Hughes noted, “The sheer number of years it'll take for this pick to convey introduces a ton of uncertainty.” And with the Nuggets already dealing with the strain of their luxury tax and second-apron situation, the idea that this pick could become highly valuable is no longer far-fetched.
Denver has already shown signs of slipping. The team has gone backward in the playoffs over the last three seasons, and while it should still be a playoff team this year, the warning signs are there.
The comparison that hangs over everything is Milwaukee, a team that won a title and then watched the roster slowly unravel. The Bucks missed the playoffs this season, five years after their championship.
Denver is three years removed from its first NBA title, and the financial pressure is only getting heavier. Next summer, Nikola Jokic will be eligible for the maximum extension, which would be an NBA-record five-year, $359.5 million deal with a $71 million average annual value. That kind of number changes everything for roster building.
At some point, the Nuggets may have to move a major piece just to stay flexible. Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, or even Christian Braun could become the kind of player Denver has to deal for picks and cap relief. Once Jokic signs that extension, he’s locked in unless he approves a move through the no-trade clause that would come with it.
The Bucks already walked this road. They moved Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, and Donte DiVincenzo, then still couldn’t keep a strong enough roster around Giannis Antetokounmpo or Damian Lillard because of the cap crunch.
If Denver ends up down that same path, the Nets may have landed much more than a simple future pick. That 2032 first-rounder could be one of the more valuable trade chips in the league.
In Other News...
Nuggets Just Made Their Spencer Jones Bet Look Even Smarter
Spencer Jones rise from useful piece to meaningful rotation player gave the Nuggets a real decision this summer, and they chose to keep betting on the 6-foot-10 forward. Denver matched Oklahoma Citys offer sheet to retain the restricted free agent on a two-year, $12 million extension, a move that reflects how much the organization values his defense, hustle and willingness to space the floor.
Jones carved out a significant role last season, starting 37 games and giving the Nuggets the kind of low-maintenance production contenders need around their stars. The financial details made this more than a simple housekeeping move, but Denver still came down firmly on the side of continuity, with Jones expected to remain a key part of the rotation going forward. [Read more 🡒]
Nuggets Still Have One Roster Problem They Can't Ignore
The Nuggets still have some housekeeping left before training camp becomes the real story, and it centers on a roster spot that has not been filled and a backcourt question that keeps hanging around. Peyton Watsons free agency situation remains unresolved, but the bigger practical issue is the one every contender has to sort out before opening night: who handles the ball when Jamal Murray sits?
For now, Denver does not have much margin there. Tyus Jones is the only true point guard behind Murray, which leaves the team thin in a spot where steadiness matters. The front office is at least looking at veteran-minimum guard options and trade possibilities to add depth, and names like Aaron Holiday, Killian Hayes and Russell Westbrook are part of the conversation as the Nuggets try to make sure the second unit is not a nightly problem. [Read more 🡒]
Cavaliers Could Reshape Their Wing Rotation With One Risky Move
The Cavaliers have been circling the wing market with a pretty specific type of player in mind, and Denver forward Peyton Watson fits the profile as well as anyone. Cleveland is reportedly interested in working out a sign-and-trade for the restricted free agent, which would give the Nuggets a chance to at least control the return rather than simply watching the market set the price.
Watsons camp is believed to be aiming well above the offers that have come his way, which is part of what makes this a tricky negotiation for both sides. Cleveland has also been linked to a framework involving Max Strus and draft compensation, but the real question is whether the sides can bridge the gap without either team backing away from a move that could reshape its wing rotation. [Read more 🡒]