Nuggets Ready to Shake Up NBA with Jaw-Dropping Kevin Durant Trade to Team Up with Nikola Jokic
The Denver Nuggets had a rollercoaster season that left fans and analysts buzzing. From a disastrous start to a mid-season resurgence, Denver’s campaign ultimately stumbled, prompting a dramatic shakeup in leadership — head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth were both shown the door. Their playoff run ended heartbreakingly in a Game 7 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, marking their second straight second-round exit. Now, the Nuggets face a pivotal offseason to decide whether to revamp their roster and push for a championship run.
Enter a bold and explosive proposition from Sports Illustrated’s Jackson Caudell, who crafted a blockbuster three-team mock trade that could alter the NBA landscape. The deal involves the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, and Phoenix Suns, and features one of the league’s biggest names: Kevin Durant.
In Caudell’s audacious vision, the Hawks would receive sharpshooter Grayson Allen, energetic wing Peyton Watson, and role player Royce O’Neal. The Suns, meanwhile, would acquire a hefty package — Michael Porter Jr., Christian Braun, Terance Mann, Zeke Nnaji, Hunter Tyson, a 2030 first-round pick swap courtesy of Denver, and three second-round picks from Atlanta. But the headline stealers are the Nuggets, who stand to add Kevin Durant alongside their superstar Nikola Jokic, while also getting young talents Kobe Bufkin and Vit Krejci plus a 2030 second-round pick from Atlanta.
This potential deal would reunite Durant and Jokic — a pairing that instantly turns Denver into an NBA powerhouse. Along with Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon, Durant’s presence would elevate Denver’s star power and could be the missing piece that pushes the team over the championship threshold.
However, such a trade comes with a hefty price. Denver would be parting ways with key contributors in Porter Jr. and Braun, both starters who played critical roles this past season, along with a promising bench piece in Peyton Watson. Given that the Nuggets’ bench depth was their Achilles’ heel, sacrificing these assets could be risky.
Despite the temptation to add a superstar like Durant, some experts suggest Denver might instead focus on shoring up their bench in the offseason. After all, the team’s struggles off the bench were a major factor in their inconsistent performance. However, with the front office overhaul underway and a new general manager potentially arriving soon, Denver’s strategy might pivot dramatically.
Kevin Durant’s status is uncertain this offseason, and the possibility of him moving is already generating significant buzz. If the Nuggets pull off this trade, they would instantly shift from a strong playoff team to a bona fide championship contender. This kind of blockbuster move could rewrite the NBA narrative and force rival teams to scramble.
Fans and analysts will be watching closely as the Nuggets weigh their options. Will they gamble on adding Durant at the expense of bench depth and young talent? Or will they build cautiously and aim for a balanced roster that can sustain long-term success? One thing’s clear — the Denver Nuggets’ offseason will be one of the most intriguing storylines of 2025 NBA offseason.
