The Denver Nuggets are off to their best start in franchise history, and it’s no accident. After two post-title seasons where depth issues caught up with them, the front office got aggressive this past offseason. Swapping out Michael Porter Jr. for Cameron Johnson, and bringing back Bruce Brown alongside veterans Tim Hardaway Jr. and Jonas Valanciunas, the Nuggets retooled their rotation with one goal in mind: staying dangerous deep into the season.
But even the best-laid plans get tested in an 82-game grind.
With Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun both sidelined for the foreseeable future, Denver’s depth is once again under the microscope. And while Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray are more than capable of carrying the load - we’ve seen them do it before - the current situation is forcing them into full-on hero mode earlier than anyone would like.
That brings us to the trade rumor that’s starting to gain traction: a potential deal between Denver and the struggling Los Angeles Clippers that would send Chris Paul and Kris Dunn to the Nuggets in exchange for Zeke Nnaji and a 2032 second-round pick.
Let’s break it down.
What the Nuggets Would Be Getting
Chris Paul may not be the All-NBA force he once was, but don’t let the twilight of his career fool you - the man still knows how to run an offense. And in Denver, he wouldn’t be asked to carry the load every night. He’d be a stabilizer, a floor general who could spell Jamal Murray and orchestrate the offense with surgical precision.
Let’s not forget: Paul and Jokic are two of the smartest basketball minds in the league. Pairing them together?
That’s a basketball IQ dream team. The Nuggets would gain a second elite playmaker, someone who can keep the offense humming when Murray sits, and who can help manage the pace of games in the postseason when possessions matter most.
And then there’s Kris Dunn - a defensive-minded guard who’s quietly rebuilt his value in recent seasons. He’s found a reliable outside shot, which has made him a viable two-way option. For a Nuggets team that’s currently thin in the backcourt, Dunn would bring perimeter defense, energy, and a bit of grit - the kind of role player every contender needs to survive the playoffs.
What the Nuggets Would Be Giving Up
On the surface, Zeke Nnaji and a distant second-round pick might not seem like much. Nnaji, once a first-rounder, hasn’t quite found his stride in Denver.
He’s shown flashes, but consistency has been elusive, and his contract isn’t exactly team-friendly for what he’s produced. The pick?
It’s not until 2032 - and while that might seem like forever from now, it could become interesting depending on where the Nuggets are by then, especially if Jokic is no longer in MVP form.
But here’s the key: Denver doesn’t have much to trade. Most of their draft capital is already tied up, and their core - Jokic, Murray, Gordon, and now Johnson - is untouchable.
So if they’re going to make a move, it has to be surgical. This one fits the bill.
Why This Makes Sense for Denver
This isn’t a blockbuster, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s about reinforcing the foundation.
With Gordon and Braun out, Denver’s rotation is stretched thin. Bruce Brown is already being asked to handle more ball-handling duties than ideal, and behind Jamal Murray, the only true point guard on the roster is rookie Jalen Pickett. That’s not a sustainable setup for a team with championship aspirations.
Adding Paul and Dunn would immediately shore up the backcourt, reduce the strain on Murray, and give head coach Michael Malone more flexibility with lineups. It’s also a low-risk move - Paul is retiring at the end of the season, and the Nuggets aren’t giving up any core pieces or premium draft capital.
And let’s be honest: Paul deserves a better sendoff than riding the bench on a team that’s 6-20.
Why the Clippers Might Say Yes
Things have unraveled in Los Angeles. Fast.
The Clippers are near the bottom of the Western Conference standings, and their veteran-heavy roster hasn’t clicked. With Paul reportedly clashing with head coach Ty Lue and the front office, the team sent him home - a clear sign that the relationship is over.
At this point, L.A. is looking at a rebuild. They need to clear the decks and start collecting assets, even if they’re modest ones.
Nnaji might not have lived up to his first-round billing yet, but a change of scenery could help. And the 2032 second-round pick, while far down the line, is still something - especially if Denver’s future looks different post-Jokic.
Losing Kris Dunn stings a bit - he’s been one of their few bright spots defensively - but if the Clippers are truly embracing a teardown, it’s a necessary step.
The X-Factor: Bad Blood
Let’s not ignore the history here. The Nuggets and Clippers haven’t exactly been on friendly terms in recent years. Denver knocked L.A. out of the playoffs last season in a grueling seven-game first-round series, and there’s been tension between the two franchises dating back to the 2020 bubble.
So yeah, a trade between these two would raise eyebrows.
But basketball is a business. And if the Clippers don’t have better offers for Paul - and it sounds like they don’t - they might be willing to do business with a rival just to get something back before letting him walk for nothing.
Bottom Line
The Nuggets are in win-now mode. Their window is wide open, but injuries are testing their depth, and the Western Conference isn’t going to wait for anyone to get healthy.
A move like this isn’t flashy, but it’s smart. It reinforces their weakest position, gives them another veteran voice in the locker room, and adds two players who could swing a playoff game with their savvy and toughness.
For Chris Paul, it’s a chance to chase the one thing that’s eluded him his entire career - a ring. For Denver, it’s a calculated move to stay ahead of the curve in a season where every edge matters.
Don’t be surprised if this one picks up steam. It checks a lot of boxes - for both sides.