Four-Year, $200 Million Max Contract Gone! Trade Jokic Now! Nuggets Are Doing Absolutely Nothing

Jokic's Performance and Nuggets' Inaction

As the Serbian national basketball team recently played two exhibition games against the Netherlands, Nikola Jokic's performance seemed unusually lackluster. In the first game, he went 0-for-2 in shooting, scoring 2 points, grabbing 9 rebounds, and dishing out 10 assists while committing 5 turnovers. In the second game, he went 3-for-3, scoring 7 points, with 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals. Such underwhelming performances have led to speculation that Jokic might be conserving his energy for a potential move to the Clippers. This speculation is fueled by rumors that Jokic has been advocating for the Nuggets' management to trade for Russell Westbrook from the Clippers. The narrative suggests that if Jokic has just one request—to be paired with Westbrook—then the Nuggets should honor it.

The 2023 NBA champions, the Denver Nuggets, faced a disappointing end to their playoff run this year, primarily due to the disparity between their starting lineup and their bench strength. Logic dictates that the Nuggets should have been proactive during the offseason, making strategic moves to bolster their roster. However, their inactivity has been glaring. The loss of key player Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the Orlando Magic on a three-year, $66 million deal is particularly significant. Despite Jokic's request for the relatively modest $4 million salary of Westbrook, the Nuggets have not made any moves to acquire him.

Current Roster and Concerns

Examining the current Nuggets roster reveals a concerning picture. Beyond Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Michael Porter Jr., the team is predominantly composed of young players in their early 20s, along with a solitary 35-year-old veteran. If the Nuggets continue to rely on a limited core of players, their prospects of achieving further success appear bleak. It's not that the Nuggets are entirely disregarding Jokic's preferences—they recently signed Croatian player Dario Saric to a two-year, $10.6 million deal and re-signed Slovenian player Vlatko Cancar on a minimum contract, both of which await official announcements. There's an adage that "European compatriots shed tears upon seeing each other," but these moves hardly suffice to address the team's needs.

Departures and Management's Inaction

The Nuggets' management's lack of proactive measures is evident in the departures of several key players. Along with Caldwell-Pope, backup guards Reggie Jackson and Justin Holiday have also left the team. Former Nuggets head coach George Karl expressed his frustration, criticizing the team's inactivity by stating, "Other championship contenders have strengthened; the Nuggets need to take action too."

Jamal Murray's Contract Negotiations

Adding to the woes is the stalled contract negotiation with core player Jamal Murray. In late June, insider Shams Charania reported that the Nuggets were prepared to offer Murray a four-year, $209 million max extension. However, recent updates from team reporter Ryan suggest that the Nuggets are hesitant to offer Murray an unconditional max contract. Critics might accuse the Nuggets of being stingy, but the hesitation largely stems from Murray's inconsistent performance in this year's playoffs. In the second-round series against the Timberwolves, Murray averaged just 18.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game, a stark contrast to his performance against the Lakers, where he averaged 23.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 7.2 assists. If Murray had consistently delivered clutch performances, the Nuggets would likely have no reservations about extending his contract.

If an extension is not reached, Murray could enter free agency in the summer of 2025, potentially bidding farewell to the Nuggets. Similarly, Aaron Gordon, Jokic's best frontcourt partner, will also be eligible for early free agency in the 2025 offseason. There's a growing concern that the championship roster from 2023 could be reduced to just Jokic standing alone in the near future.

Calls for Trading Jokic

As the Nuggets' management continues to falter in making significant moves, there's increasing external pressure to trade Jokic. Fans and analysts alike are urging the team to either trade Jokic to avoid wasting his prime years or to ignore the luxury tax implications and strengthen the roster around him for another championship run. In today's NBA, the reality is that success often comes to those willing to spend the most money.

Jokic's Future and Nuggets' Dilemma

The Nuggets are at a critical juncture. Jokic, a two-time MVP and one of the most versatile big men in NBA history, deserves a team that can fully capitalize on his prime years. The organization's current approach risks squandering this window of opportunity. The calls to trade Jokic, though drastic, stem from a desire to see him in a competitive environment where his talents are maximized.

Trading Jokic would undoubtedly be a seismic shift for the Nuggets, but if the management cannot build a contender around him, it might be the best course of action for both parties. Jokic’s loyalty to the Nuggets has been evident, but his patience might not be infinite. The team’s future hinges on its ability to make bold moves and build a roster capable of competing at the highest level.

Conclusion

The Denver Nuggets' inactivity during the offseason has raised significant concerns about their ability to remain competitive. Jokic’s underwhelming performance in the recent exhibition games and the stalled contract negotiations with Murray highlight a team in flux. With key players leaving and minimal reinforcements brought in, the Nuggets' championship aspirations seem increasingly uncertain. The calls to trade Jokic, though extreme, reflect the frustration and urgency felt by fans and analysts who recognize the need to fully utilize the talents of one of the NBA's premier players. The Nuggets must act decisively, either by reinforcing their roster around Jokic or considering a trade to prevent wasting his prime years.