The Denver Nuggets are coming off a season in which they surprised many. First, it was the decision to fire head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth just days before the end of the regular season. As a result, the Nuggets went into the playoffs with an interim head coach, David Adelman.
Some thought that the decision would prove to be a death sentence. Although still early, it proved to be the right move in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, as the team defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in seven games, who were one of the hottest teams in the NBA entering the playoffs.
Jaden Hardy
Nov 22, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) controls the ball under pressure from Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy (1) in the first quarter at Ball Arena.
© Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Denver Nuggets nearly made Kevin Durant decision
In the second round, the Nuggets met up with the Oklahoma City Thunder. To that point, the Thunder had looked nearly invincible, making quick work of the Memphis Grizzlies in a sweep. Many believed that dominance would continue after the grueling Clippers series, but the Nuggets gave the Thunder a decent run for their money before falling short in Game 7.
The Nuggets lacked depth and top-tier talent outside of Nikola Jokic. Likely looking to make a trade in the offseason, the Nuggets were a surprise contender for the services of Kevin Durant, according to Shams Charania, before he was ultimately traded to the Houston Rockets.
It's fun to imagine what such a trade package would've looked like from Denver's end. To make the salaries work, it would likely have had to involve Jamal Murray, or, more likely, Michael Porter Jr. in addition to young players like Peyton Watson, Julian Strawther or Christian Braun.
Now, the Nuggets will look elsewhere to add depth to attempt to keep up in what will likely once again be a tough Western Conference. Contending next year should be Denver's top priority if they don't want to risk Jokic asking for a trade. If they can't build upon what they accomplished this season and at least get back to the Conference Finals, that's very well what could happen.