Denver Nuggets team president Josh Kroenke has made some concerning comments over the past few months, stating that the last thing he wants to do is trade Nikola Jokic. Even saying that was viewed as an issue to many.
Trading Jokic wouldn't only be a bad decision for multiple reasons, but it’d also completely change the trajectory of this franchise.
The Nuggets are one of the top teams in the NBA thanks to Jokic, and moving on from him simply wouldn’t make sense, no matter how anyone wants to spin it.
Could the Nuggest pull off major trade?
Whether the Nuggets have to go in the second apron, trade multiple players to make him happy, or do anything else, it all makes sense to keep him in town.
Despite that, Mark Morales-Smith of Sports Illustrated believes there's a scenario where they could end up trading him because of Kroenke’s prior comments. His trade proposal would see the Nuggets move on from him and Jamal Murray in a deal with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Grizzlies receive: Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray
Nuggets receive: Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, three first-round picks
“The Nuggets get a haul for Jokic, who may not want to be in Denver long term. Murray is good, but Morant is a massive upgrade, especially since Murray's knee injury. Jackson is also an outstanding big man and defender, who will need a new deal but is a much cheaper option. KCP is always a strong 3-D role player. This will also save them about $17 million if the second apron of the luxury tax is a major concern. This would allow them to add more pieces to a very good team,” he wrote.
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Frankly, even if the Nuggets were to entertain trading Jokic for whatever reason, this type of deal wouldn't get it done.
The Nuggets would be looking at the biggest haul in NBA history, and while Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. are great players in their own right, there's not a chance for the Nuggets to take this deal for only three picks.