Breaking: Four(4) Denver Nuggets Players who could be Traded this Season, to Enhance their Roster
The Denver Nuggets are all in on capturing a second consecutive title and establishing themselves as a dynasty. Nikola Jokic is the best player in the world, and he is surrounded by talented teammates. They are 17-9, with ten of their first 11 wins coming at home, but what if they believe they are a piece or two short before the Feb. 8 trade deadline?
To enhance their roster, they have five second-round draft picks and multiple first-round trades available. The Nuggets’ starting five is set, but do they have enough depth? Reggie Jackson is improving, but he is no longer in the postseason rotation in 2023. Justin Holiday is a seasoned winger option, but the rest are under 25 years old and have talent but lack experience.
If general manager Calvin Booth and the Nuggets front office believe the team needs additional help, he will attempt to acquire it. Who could they trade to make it happen?
4. Vlatko Cancar
Cancar tore his ACL while playing for the Slovenian National Team and will miss the rest of the season. In 2023, he played only 14.8 minutes a game and was removed from their playoff rotation. The Nuggets have a $2.3 million team option on the 6’8 forward for the 2024-25 season, but it may be time to cut hook on the 26-year-old.
Cancar has little trade value, but the Nuggets may deal him to make room on the roster. They presently have the maximum of 18 players under contract. It’s difficult to find 6’8 forwards who can shoot 36.1 percent from outside the arc. Cancar’s injuries and restricted position are deterrents, but a rebuilding squad may be willing to take a chance, especially with a young team.
The Denver Nuggets are not getting anything from Vlatko Cancar this season. It makes sense to trade him, but they may need additional salary to make a move.
3. Zeke Nnaji
Nnaji landed a four-year $32 million rookie extension before the season. Fans thought it would mean more playing time and a larger role, but his minutes are down for a second straight year. He is producing 3.7 points, and 2.4 rebounds in 10.3 minutes per game. There is little to be excited about, and it may be time for the Nuggets to move on.
The 22-year-old has untapped potential, but there is no room to play more in Denver. 92 percent of his minutes this season have come at the five. Nikola Jokic is the best player in the world and will play 35-plus in close games. Nnaji can play the four, but Aaron Gordon takes the majority of those minutes. There is just not much room for the first-round pick in 2020.
Trading Nnaji won’t be easy. His extension makes him subject to the Poison Pill Provision. Devin Harris going from the Mavericks to the Nets in 2008 is the last player to be traded under this rule. Nnaji’s salary counts for more to the team receiving him than this year’s number.
The Denver Nuggets could explore his market in hopes of finding a believer in his talent. Rebuilding teams want young pieces on controllable contracts. Zeke Nnaji may never be a star, but he could blossom into a rotation option as a franchise exits its rebuild.
2. Peyton Watson
The 30th overall pick in the 2022 draft is part of the Nuggets rotation this season and playing 15 to 25 minutes per game. Watson is a 6’8 wing who plays stout defense, but his offensive game is a work in progress.
He shot 24.6 percent from 3-point range in the G League last season and is six of 27 so far this year. Watson dished out five assists against the Nets on Dec. 14 but had 20 in his first 23 contests. He has been a massive negative offensively and his ceiling is a question mark.
Every team wants a 6’8 wing who can defend multiple positions. If Watson adds some ball-handling or a 3-point shot, he instantly becomes a rotation piece on any roster. That should be his focus. With his current offensive game, the 21-year-old will likely be axed from Denver’s playoff rotation.
The Nuggets need to trade one of their three young talents to get a significant return. Christian Braun feels locked in, and Julian Strawther has shown some real juice as a rookie. Watson is getting more playing time than Strawther, but his upside is lower. Denver is most likely to move Watson if they can find an upgrade.
1. Reggie Jackson
So far this season, Jackson has been fantastic. He appeared in all 26 games and averaged 13.6 points, 4.6 assists, and 2.2 rebounds in 26.2 minutes. The veteran is shooting 49.1% from the field and 41.4 percent from 3-point range. After some serious questions at the close of last season, Jackson looks return to his prime.
The Clippers were keen to get rid of him before the trade deadline, and the 6’2 guard struggled after signing a buyout deal with the Nuggets. During their championship, Jackson played only 18 total playoff minutes. It isn’t 18 minutes per game. He competed in six games, each lasting three minutes. In the offseason, Denver re-signed him to a two-year, $10.2 million contract, but others wondered if Jackson was on his way out of the league.
He is responding to such questions. His contract is what makes him tradeable. Jackson’s $5.0 million salary ranks sixth on the team. Because the Nuggets have no intention of selling any of their starting five, Jackson is the most likely salary matcher in a trade.
Denver would still be looking for a bargain, but it would allow them to obtain someone making close to the non-taxpayer mid-level exception without sacrificing too many guys.
Will the Denver Nuggets make a trade before the deadline on February 8? Their youthful talent’s development could hold the solution to that query. Denver is likely to stand pat if they are happy with them remaining in the postseason rotation. Stay tuned for action from the Nuggets if a hole emerges.
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