The Denver Nuggets, champions just two seasons ago, have remained a dominant force in the Western Conference. They came close to repeating last year before being eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the semifinals, and this season, they once again fell short—this time to the Oklahoma City Thunder, also in the Western Conference semifinals.
Over the past three years, Denver has shown remarkable consistency, establishing a winning culture both on and off the court. However, the business side of the NBA sometimes forces teams into difficult decisions, regardless of past success.
Nuggets owner Josh Kroenke recently spoke at a press conference, as shared by NBA Central on X, where he acknowledged a scenario he hopes never becomes reality—one that would involve trading franchise star Nikola Jokic.
“The wrong person gets injured, and very quickly, you’re into a scenario I never want to have to contemplate, which is trading number 15,” Kroenke said.
His statement, which caught many off guard, spread quickly among NBA fans and analysts. The idea of Jokic ever being traded has never been seriously discussed publicly, as he’s considered the heart of the franchise and among the league’s elite players.
Still, as history has shown, nothing is guaranteed. Luka Doncic, once believed to be a Maverick for life much like Dirk Nowitzki, was eventually traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. That surprising move serves as a reminder that in the NBA, no player—no matter how valuable—is entirely untouchable.
