The Denver Nuggets are navigating the stretch run of the season with a clear sense of who they are-and who they aren’t trying to be at the trade deadline.
Nikola Jokić is back in the lineup, which is always a boost, but Sunday’s narrow loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder served as a reminder: even the defending champs aren’t immune to the grind of the regular season. Still, Denver remains firmly in the mix near the top of the Western Conference standings, and that’s given rise to some chatter about potential moves ahead of the February 5 trade deadline.
Here’s what we know: don’t expect fireworks. According to league sources, Denver isn’t planning any major shakeups.
Instead, the front office is focused on a more subtle objective-getting under the luxury tax line. The Nuggets are reportedly about $400,000 over the threshold, and rather than pursuing a splashy addition, they’re eyeing a smaller move that could trim salary without disrupting the core.
Enter Hunter Tyson.
The rookie forward out of Clemson has come up in recent conversations, particularly in talks with the Utah Jazz. Tyson saw some minutes earlier this season when injuries sidelined several starters, including Jokić, but he hasn’t carved out a consistent role in Michael Malone’s rotation. He’s shown flashes-enough to intrigue teams looking for developmental upside-but in Denver, where the roster is built to win now, he’s more of a luxury than a necessity.
If the Nuggets do move Tyson, it likely won’t be about on-court fit. It’ll be about the books. With Peyton Watson set to hit restricted free agency this summer and the team already deep into its financial commitments, the front office appears to be prioritizing flexibility where it can find it.
None of this suggests Denver is punting on the season. Far from it.
This is still the same group that pushed the Thunder to the brink in last year’s Western Conference semis and has every intention of making another deep playoff run. But with a roster that’s largely intact and a title window that’s wide open, the Nuggets are betting on continuity over change-and trusting that their best move is sticking with what works.
Next up for Denver: a road matchup against the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night. It’s a chance to get back in the win column and continue building momentum as the deadline approaches.