NBA Trade Rumors: Nuggets ‘Eager’ To Shake Things Up, But Can They?

The Denver Nuggets are reportedly on the hunt for a trade to bolster their rotation, but as usual in today’s NBA, it’s easier said than done.

Marc Stein of The Stein Line dropped the scoop during an appearance on DNVR Sports, where he labeled Denver as “eager” to shake things up. Here’s the kicker, though: the Nuggets are stuck between a tax apron and a hard place.

Stein didn’t mince words — Denver is motivated. But their options? Limited, especially if they’re not willing to move Michael Porter Jr. And let’s be real, folks: barring something seismic, trading MPJ isn’t on the table. The Nuggets have been all-in on their core of Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, and Porter, and deviating from that midseason feels unlikely. But that doesn’t mean they’re sitting on their hands.

The problem? Denver’s financial situation is like quicksand. They’re dancing around the tax aprons, which restrict their ability to absorb meaningful contracts.

Add in the lack of truly movable deals on the roster, and you’ve got a front office trying to play chess with only pawns. Stein’s right — without including Porter in talks, the Nuggets’ trade “optionality” shrinks dramatically.

Still, it’s no secret the Nuggets’ rotation could use some help. They’ve got their eyes on a second straight title, and while Jokić can work miracles, the supporting cast has shown cracks.

The bench scoring has been inconsistent, and their wing depth? Let’s just say it’s not exactly championship caliber.

Bottom line: Denver wants to make a splash, but their flexibility is minimal. Unless they’re willing to gamble big — Porter or otherwise — they might be stuck making minor tweaks. Eager or not, the road to improvement looks bumpy.

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