BREAKING: Nuggets Star Makes STUNNING Decision That Could DESTROY Team's Championship Dreams
The Denver Nuggets are facing a catastrophic roster crisis that could completely derail their championship aspirations, and the latest bombshell decision might be the final nail in the coffin for this once-promising franchise.
The Decision That Has Nuggets Fans FURIOUS
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the Mile High City, veteran forward Dario Saric has exercised his $5.4 million player option for next season, effectively forcing the cash-strapped Nuggets into a financial nightmare they desperately wanted to avoid. The Croatian forward, who managed to play in just 16 games last season and averaged a measly 3.5 points per game, has now locked himself into a massive payday that could cripple the team's ability to build around three-time MVP Nikola Jokić.
Sources close to the organization reveal that the Nuggets were secretly hoping Saric would decline his option and walk away, especially after he received a lucrative offer from a Turkish team that would have solved Denver's depth problems instantly. Instead, the 30-year-old forward has chosen to collect his hefty paycheck while contributing virtually nothing to a team desperately trying to compete for a championship.
Russell Westbrook ABANDONS Nuggets in Stunning Betrayal
As if the Saric situation wasn't devastating enough, the Nuggets have been dealt another crushing blow with Russell Westbrook's shocking decision to decline his player option and flee to free agency. The former MVP, who was instrumental in Denver's playoff run against the Los Angeles Clippers, has turned his back on the organization that revitalized his career.
Westbrook's departure leaves a gaping hole in the Nuggets' rotation, particularly after he shot an impressive 41.9% from three-point range during their playoff series against the Clippers. His decision to walk away from $3.4 million suggests he has zero confidence in the franchise's direction.
Organizational CHAOS Threatens Championship Window
The player option decisions come at the worst possible time for a franchise already in complete disarray. The Nuggets made the stunning decision to fire both head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth just days before the end of the regular season, creating an unprecedented level of instability.
Even superstar Nikola Jokić has publicly expressed his frustration with the current roster, stating bluntly that the team "can't win a championship" as currently constructed. The three-time MVP's damning assessment of his own teammates has created a toxic atmosphere that could force the organization into panic mode.
Financial Disaster Could Force Franchise-Altering Moves
Denver's Dario Šarić has activated his $5.4 million player option for next season, league sources tell @TheSteinLine.
Šarić had until June 29 to exercise or bypass the option.
More coverage: https://t.co/BbJqoGqwPO
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 22, 2025
With Saric's bloated contract now on the books and no draft picks to work with, the Nuggets find themselves in salary cap hell with limited options to improve. The team may be forced to use Saric's contract as "filler" in a desperation trade, but his lack of production makes him virtually untradeable in today's restrictive salary cap environment.
The Nuggets currently have 12 players under contract for next season, assuming they pick up team options on Christian Braun, Julian Strawther, and Peyton Watson. However, with Jokić demanding more depth and better players, the franchise faces an impossible puzzle with no clear solution in sight.
This developing crisis could mark the beginning of the end for Denver's championship window, as they watch their competitors like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers battle in the NBA Finals while the Nuggets spiral into mediocrity.