Nikola Jokic — the three-time MVP, Finals MVP, and the guy generally considered the best basketball player alive right now — is having maybe the best season of his career. Which is saying something. Jokic is averaging a near triple-double of 30.9 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 9.9 assists a game, and the Nuggets have a championship-level +10.9 net rating when he is on the court.
Despite Jokic’s play, the Nuggets are 14-10 and do not pass the eye test of being a title contender. Their +2.5 net rating overall (13th in the league) backs the eye test up (the Nuggets have a -14.1 net rating when Jokic sits). There simply is not enough other shot creation around the superstar center. Which is why the Nuggets are considering a bold move at the trade deadline, specifically eying the Bulls’ Zach LaVine, among others, reports Sam Amick and Tony Jones at The Athletic.
As a result, the Nuggets have either expressed interest in, or have had preliminary trade discussions on the following players: Chicago’s Zach Lavine, Washington’s Jordan Poole, Utah’s Jordan Clarkson, Atlanta’s De’Andre Hunter, Brooklyn’s Cam Johnson and Washington’s Jonas Valanciunas. League sources say the focus on LaVine in recent discussions is significant.
Brandon Ingram should also be on that list, reports Ian Begley of SNY.TV.
LaVine is having the best 3-point shooting season of his career, averaging 21.7 points a game on 42.8% shooting from 3, plus 4.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists a night. There has never been a question about LaVine’s ability to get a bucket, the challenge has been the $43 million he is making this season and the two-years, $94 million he is owed after this season (the second year of that is a player option). Combine all that money with a lengthy injury history, and teams have hesitated to give up quality picks or players to trade for LaVine.
Denver is desperate enough to shake things up they might do it. The Nuggets would have to trade Michael Porter Jr. and his $35.9 million salary to Chicago to make this work. Porter Jr. is not the shot creator that LaVine is, but he is having one of his best and most well-rounded seasons. He is averaging 18.5 points and 7.1 assists a game, shooting 38.5% from 3, and is playing some of the best defense of his career.
The trade works financially with Porter Jr. and Zeke Naji (who Dever has made available in trades), but as The Athletic notes the Bulls will want at least a first-round pick swap as well. Chicago is rebuilding and wants picks, it’s not just going to swap contracts even if they like Porter Jr. With the pick, the price might be too rich for Denver’s taste.
Whether or not the LaVine trade comes to pass, the takeaway is that the Denver Nuggets and GM Calvin Booth understand their team is not a contender as currently constructed — that they are wasting a year of Jokic’s prime. Changes are needed. Denver needs someone who can create a shot beyond Jokic and Jamal Murray, and they may be willing to give LaVine a chance to be that guy.
