It’s been mere hours since the Denver Nuggets were bounced out of the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, but it’s already time to look ahead towards their offseason.
2025 NBA Offseason: Denver Nuggets Master Plan
Draft
The Nuggets won’t have any picks in the 2025 NBA Draft. Their first round pick, which would’ve been 25th overall, is heading to the Orlando Magic as part of the Aaron Gordon trade. Their second round pick, which they traded for Reggie Jackson in a six-team deal, has taken a scenic route to the Phoenix Suns.
Denver won’t be complaining about this. Gordon has emerged as an essential piece of their championship puzzle, on and off the floor. Jackson is no longer with the Nuggets, but he generally played well during the 2023-24 regular season.
With that being said, they’ll have at least one rookie on their roster next season, as 2024 No. 22 pick DaRon Holmes II tore his Achilles during Summer League. An adept shooter and shot-blocker at 6-foot-10, the hope is that the 22-year-old’s major injury was just a minor setback. According to On SI’s Rylan Stiles, Holmes has looked promising in his post-injury practices.
Free Agency
In free agency, the Nuggets will only be able to sign players to minimum contracts, for reasons that HoopsHype’s Mark Deeks explains in full here. This is particularly unfortunate for the Nuggets because their depth is definitely a concern. Nevertheless, Denver should be able to snatch up a backup point guard, 3-and-D wing, and 3-and-D forward; their team needs.
At point guard, their options should include Chris Paul, Bruce Brown and Dante Exum. Though they’re more likely to be looking at teams who offer the mid-level exception, their age and/or injury history is the primary reason why they might sign bargain deals. With that in mind, their Russell Westbrook experiment has shown they need a more methodical and efficient player.
The 3-and-D wing players that they need to look at include Amir Coffey, Gary Trent Jr., and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. However, Trent and Alexander-Walker are likely to be out of their price range. With that being said, any wing who can provide stouter defense than Julian Strawther but still knock down 3s would be welcomed with open arms.
A few 3-and-D forwards that would be a fit for the Nuggets are Guerschon Yabusele, Jake LaRavia, and Chris Boucher. As it’s possible that each of them will be too expensive for the Nuggets, Taurean Prince is an option as well. The key here is having a more reliable 3-point threat than Peyton Watson but without a steep defensive drop-off.
Trade
Getting blown out in Game 7 is embarrassing and that emotion has spurred fans to call for Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr. and others to be traded. Throwing the baby out with the bathwater will only cause more chaos and confusion. However, it’s obvious that Nikola Jokic has been overburdened.
To that point, Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant is actually a terrific fit as Porter’s replacement. Los Angeles Lakers point guard Luka Doncic playing alongside Jokic would cause a frenzy. If possible, a sign-and-trade for Lakers forward LeBron James could make them instant title favorites. Of those players, Doncic is ironically the most feasible option and only in the event he asks out.
Still, the most realistic trade would be for a role player who’s better than their free agent options.
Point guards like New Orleans Pelicans defensive stud Jose Alvarado or Chicago Bulls two-way playmaker Lonzo Ball. Perimeter defenders like Charlotte Hornets wing Josh Green or Cleveland Cavaliers wing Isaac Okoro. 3-and-D pieces like Suns forward Royce O’Neale or Dallas Mavericks forward PJ Washington.
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