The Denver Nuggets are not looking like a contender right now.
Denver’s offense is stale, and a big reason is because they aren’t a good three-point shooting team, something that three-time MVP Nikola Jokić pointed out in a press conference recently.
The Nuggets need to do some serious roster reshuffling to get their mojo back.
On Monday, Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes recommended a move for Denver that many others have discussed: sending Michael Porter Jr. away in exchange for Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls.
LaVine has been linked to multiple Western Conference teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers, and Golden State Warriors. He’s expensive, but LaVine would be an excellent fit on the Nuggets, especially given their growing offensive struggles. Hughes even referred to LaVine as a “dream target” for Denver.
“The Denver Nuggets need three-point shooting and self-sufficient offensive creation if they hope to stick in the contender class,” Hughes said.
“Jamal Murray’s slippage and the departures of Bruce Brown Jr. and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope over the last two offseasons have left them wanting in both areas.”
“Unfortunately, apron restrictions mean moving Michael Porter Jr., the team’s best shooter, is the only way to get what Denver needs.”
“LaVine makes about $7 million more than MPJ in 2024-25, so the Nuggets would have to dump Zeke Nnaji on a rebuilder without taking money back to make the deal work. The Bulls guard is a more complete offensive threat than Porter Jr. and nearly as deadly from deep.”
LaVine is in year three of a five-year, $215.2 million max contract with a player option in the fifth year.
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