Although there are rumors that Nikola Jokic will sign an extension with the Denver Nuggets this summer, the three-time MVP could surprisingly demand a trade following Michael Malone’s head-scratching dismissal.
If Jokic wants to leave Denver in the offseason, the Nuggets could swap him for a 2024 playoff star.
“Indiana (Pacers) reached the Eastern Conference Finals last season after acquiring Pascal Siakam and continues to show growth with a 47-31 record,” Clutch Points’ Julian Ojeda wrote Tuesday.
“Tyrese Haliburton has emerged as a premier point guard, and the organization has built a solid supporting cast that could appeal to Jokic. A frontcourt of Siakam and Jokic could offer elite offensive versatility. Indiana also has one of the more attractive asset pools for a potential blockbuster.”
“Myles Turner, expected to command around $30 million annually, remains a likely trade candidate. The Pacers could offer Turner (via sign-and-trade), Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, a 2026 first-round pick, a top-10 protected 2028 first, and a 2029 second-rounder.”
“The combination of win-now contributors and high-upside prospects could appeal to a Denver team retooling after the Malone-(Calvin) Booth era.”
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With a pivotal 124-116 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, the 48-32 Nuggets move closer to reaching the postseason and further from competing in the Play-In tournament.
Still, there’s a reason why many have little to no faith in the franchise’s ability to advance past the first round of the playoffs.
Nine times out of ten, an off-night for Jokic will spell doom for the Nuggets on the hardwood.
Assets like Christian Braun, Russell Westbrook, Michael Porter Jr., Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon will have their moments, but Denver needs Jokic to play out of his mind frequently to secure victories.
When the NBA champion center delivers awe-inspiring dimes in tight windows, toys with defenders in the low post, and uses his large frame to snatch defensive rebounds, the Nuggets can sneak out wins.
Assuming Jokic will grow weary of the organization’s unhealthy dependence on him, a blockbuster summer trade to the Pacers isn’t out of the equation.
In addition to receiving a dynamic stretch five in Turner, the Nuggets would acquire a steady 25–year–old guard in Nembhard, who helped Indiana reach the Eastern Conference finals last season.
The Gonzaga product averaged 14.9 points per contest, shooting 56.0% from the field and 48.3% from deep in 17 2024 playoff clashes.
Denver’s ceiling wouldn’t elevate with Turner and Nembhard, but they could help jumpstart the Nuggets’ unexpected rebuild.
The Nuggets’ offseason will be entertaining, to say the least.
More NBA: Nuggets predicted to swap Nikola Jokic for $185 million Western Conference All-Star
