Following a disappointing playoff exit, the Denver Nuggets are broadly anticipated to make vital modifications this summer time. That might imply buying and selling gamers comparable to Christian Braun, Aaron Gordon, Cam Johnson, and even star Jamal Murray.
Transferring on from Braun might be particularly tough, given his poor play within the postseason and his $125 million extension kicking in subsequent season. Consequently, the Nuggets could also be pressured to make an even bigger transfer to attempt to shake issues up.
One potential choice the Nuggets may broach this summer time is buying and selling Murray for Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen.
Buying and selling for Markkanen would mark a dramatic shift in technique for Denver, who spent years honing their offensive assault across the Murray and Nikola Jokic pick-and-roll. Nonetheless, it might be time to shake issues up.
The Denver Nuggets are in determined want of a summer time shakeup
The Jazz are hoping that they may get fortunate within the NBA Draft and find yourself with a top-3 decide to pair with Jaren Jackson Jr., Markkanen, and Ace Bailey. Nonetheless, in the event that they find yourself with, say, Cam Boozer or AJ Dybantsa, they’d have a crowded frontcourt.
That may make the potential for them buying and selling Markkanen extra doubtless. A straight-up commerce for Murray would make sense below that state of affairs, although they have already got Keyonte George at level guard.
Shifting a few of their depth from the entrance courtroom to the again courtroom may make them a extra balanced roster. It may additionally make them a extra doubtless playoff crew subsequent season.
For the Nuggets’ half, they’d be retooling round Jokic after hitting a brick wall. They’d have a gap at level guard however may discover a stopgap choice and would beef up their entrance courtroom by pairing Jokic and Gordon with Markkanen.
Would the Nuggets and Jazz comply with the commerce?
The Nuggets would in all probability choose to maintain Murray, so buying and selling him would not be their first choice. Nonetheless, they’re in all probability caught with Braun, whereas Johnson might have some worth as a shooter on an expiring contract.
Nonetheless, neither commerce is prone to transfer the needle a lot. If Denver needs to shake issues up, shifting Murray would be the most reasonable choice, outdoors of maybe touchdown Kevin Durant in a commerce.
For the Jazz, they’ve had a excessive asking worth for Markkanen. Relying on how they view Murray, he will not be sufficient in a straight-up swap for Markkanen, at the least of their eyes. Whereas tempting for either side, I believe the Jazz could be extra prone to decline a possible commerce.
Comply with
