Nikola Jokic, the face of the Denver Nuggets, has long been considered untouchable by the franchise. Yet, the recent blockbuster trade of Luka Doncic to the LA Lakers for Anthony Davis has shifted the landscape, opening the door to the Nikola Jokic trade possibility Nuggets fans never expected. Nuggets owner Josh Kroenke acknowledged the potential for change during a media session on Tuesday.
Kroenke expressed caution, highlighting the team’s awareness of new NBA rules and the fragility of their roster given past injuries. The potential of crossing into the second apron—an NBA salary cap mechanism—raises risks for the Nuggets, especially if key players like Jokic suffer significant injuries. Kroenke explained the delicate balance the organization faces in maintaining competitiveness while protecting their core players.
“For us, as an organization, going into that second apron is not necessarily something that we’re scared of,” Kroenke said. “I think there are rules around it that we need to be very careful of with our injury history. The wrong person gets injured, and very quickly, you’re in the scenario that I never want to have to contemplate, and that’s trading number 15 (Nikola Jokic). We’re very conscious of that pushing forward.”
Although the Denver Nuggets remain hesitant to move Jokic, the evolving NBA landscape, combined with roster concerns, has introduced new strategic considerations for the franchise’s future.
Contract Extension Uncertainty Surrounding Jokic
Nikola Jokic is positioned to receive a substantial contract extension this offseason, reportedly a three-year, $212.5 million offer from Denver. Despite the offer, doubts linger about whether Jokic will accept, especially amid concerns about the team‘s roster depth following their 2023 championship run.
Bleacher Report analyst Dan Favale detailed the precarious situation facing the Nuggets as they try to convince their star player to stay. The team’s limited flexibility in acquiring new talent complicates matters further.
“Jokic noted Denver’s lack of depth after its playoff exit, only for managing governor Josh Kroenke to extol the benefits of running it back,” Favale wrote.
“In fairness, the Nuggets are not working with many resources. They can trade just one first-round pick this summer and won’t have more than the mini mid-level exception of $5.7 million to spend in free agency.”
The Nuggets’ struggle to build a deeper roster threatens their ability to remain a championship contender, possibly affecting Jokic’s decision about his future with the team.
Injury Risks and Team Strategy Shape Key Decisions Moving Forward
Kroenke’s remarks illustrate the tension within the Nuggets organization as they navigate salary cap restrictions and injury concerns. While trading their superstar remains a last-resort scenario, the complex financial and competitive factors created by the new Collective Bargaining Agreement and recent NBA trades make contingency plans necessary.
The significance of these developments is that Denver is at a crossroads—striving to preserve their championship core while adapting to a changing NBA environment where previously untouchable stars could become movable assets. The next several months will be crucial in determining how the Nuggets balance these competing priorities and whether Jokic remains the cornerstone of their franchise.