BREAKING: Nuggets Can Offer Nikola Jokic Support He Needs With New NBA Trade Idea
The Denver Nuggets managed to push the Western Conference Champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, to seven games in the NBA Playoffs. They ran out of gas in that seventh game.
It is growing more and more obvious just how much Nikola Jokic needs to be supported by a stronger cast of players around him. The Nuggets superstar is one of the best floor and ceiling raisers in the league, however, even Jokic has his limits.
One member of his supporting cast that looks worse by the day is Michael Porter Jr. The Nuggets forward struggled mightily against the Thunder, averaging 7.4 points while shooting 32.2 percent from the field and 25.0 percent from 3-point.
Porter Jr. is set to collect $38.3 million next season, limiting the Nuggets' ability to make improvements with him on the books. This next trade idea would alleviate Denver from those concerns.
May 18, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) talks to Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second quarter during game seven of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report suggested a deal with a rebuilding team to help offload Porter Jr. The following trade idea involves linking up with the New Orleans Pelicans to reshape the supporting cast in Denver.
Nuggets receive: Trey Murphy III, Kelly Olynyk.
Pelicans receive: Michael Porter Jr., Peyton Watson, a 2031 first-round pick swap, and a 2032 first-round pick.
Giving up the draft capital would be a necessary maneuver to getting another team to take Porter's contract. For the rebuilding Pelicans, that would also create cap space after his deal expires following the 2026-27 season.
The Nuggets get a reliable scorer beside Jokic with Murphy. The Pelicans forward averaged 21.2 points per game in 2024-25, shooting 45.4 percent from the field and 36.1 percent from beyond the arc.
Olynyk is a nice throw-in here as well. The Nuggets would get an opportunity to have a backup they can trust in the frontcourt behind Jokic with the addition.