The Denver Nuggets’ somewhat disappointing beginning to the 2024-25 season has been surprising to say the least.
Even with three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić contributing 30.9 points, 13.3 rebounds and 9.9 assists along with a blistering 48.9% shooting accuracy from distance, Denver holds a 14-10 record and sits at the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference.
The 2023 NBA champions have now seen the consequences of losing valuable role players over the course of multiple free agency periods and the inconsistent play of Jokić’s co-star Jamal Murray.
As a team ranking No. 5 in points with a 119.2 average as a collective, recent reports have named Denver as a potential player in the trade market who will be looking to acquire an offensively gifted star from the Chicago Bulls to pair with their superstar center.
“League sources say the focus on (Zach) LaVine in recent discussions is significant, with the Nuggets interested in the 29-year-old who is averaging 21.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists this season,” The Athletic's Tony Jones wrote Tuesday night.
“LaVine, a two-time All-Star, is owed $43 million this season, $45.9 million next season and has a player option worth $48.9 million for the 2026-27 campaign.”
As one of the more polarizing players being made available for trade this season, LaVine’s monster five-year, $215 million contract he signed with Chicago in 2022 was previously thought to have lessened the likelihood of the star shooting guard being dealt to a new home prior to the Feb. 6 trade deadline.
Now, Jones and Amick share that Denver has potentially conducted preliminary discussions on a trade revolving around LaVine.
LaVine’s most impactful season came in 2020-21, where the high-flying 6-foot-5 scoring threat averaged a career-best 27.4 points while connecting on 41.9% of his three-point attempts, leading to his first of two All-Star appearances for the Bulls.
With the possibility of LaVine being moved to Denver to keep the team’s championship window open, the focus moves to which salaries Denver would exchange with Chicago in order to work out the financial framework of a deal.
In return for LaVine, Denver would likely be forced to move the salaries of Michael Porter Jr. and Zeke Nnaji, though the Nuggets would surely love to retain Porter Jr. who is putting together one of his best seasons in 2024-25.
