As the NBA offseason heats up, the Denver Nuggets are plotting a seismic shift to keep their championship hopes alive—and they’ve got their eyes locked on one of the league’s premier two-way stars: Derrick White. With mounting pressure to deliver another title while Nikola Jokic is still in his prime, Denver is reportedly prepared to make a stunning trade offer that could rock the league to its core.
Denver’s front office is facing a now-or-never window. While Jokic remains loyal and hasn’t hinted at leaving, his current deal only locks him in through the 2025-26 season—with a player option looming for 2027-28. As time ticks, the Nuggets are racing against the clock to prove they can surround their MVP with a winning cast. Failing to deliver postseason results could send shockwaves through the franchise—and perhaps shake Jokic’s loyalty.
Enter Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report, who ignited the rumor mill by calling Derrick White an “ambitious” trade target for Denver. Hughes emphasized that although Christian Braun has grown into a fan favorite, the Nuggets need more firepower beside Jamal Murray to unlock Jokic’s full potential.
“Everybody loves Christian Braun,” Hughes admitted, “but the Denver Nuggets need an even more dynamic two-way threat next to Jamal Murray to maximize Nikola Jokić’s prime.”
And who better to fill that gap than Derrick White? Described as one of the league’s most elite defensive guards, White also brings serious offensive punch with his sharpshooting from beyond the arc.
“Derrick White is among the best defensive guards in the league and is the kind of three-point shooter whom opponents get yanked off the floor for leaving open,” Hughes explained. “His value as a spacer is far greater than Braun’s, and his superiority as a playmaker (4.8 assists per game last year) would give the Nuggets never-before-seen levels of offensive savvy and dynamism.”
The deal, however, won’t come cheap. Hughes suggests that Denver might need to orchestrate a multi-team trade involving not only Braun and future draft capital, but also rerouting Michael Porter Jr. to another franchise—an eye-popping move that signals just how serious the Nuggets are about chasing another ring.
The Boston Celtics, meanwhile, appear open to wheeling and dealing this offseason. During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, insider Shams Charania revealed that Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, and Sam Hauser are all names on the table. And here’s the kicker—everyone except Jayson Tatum might be available for the right price.
This statement throws the door wide open for Denver to make their move. White may not be the first name that jumps out, but his unique blend of lockdown defense, court vision, and off-ball movement makes him the missing piece in the Nuggets’ title puzzle.
The potential for this deal to shift the Western Conference power balance is enormous. While Denver would sacrifice some youth and depth, they’d gain a player tailor-made to compete at the highest level—especially in high-pressure playoff situations.
With the West only getting tougher, and teams like the Timberwolves, Mavericks, and Thunder on the rise, Denver knows they can’t afford to run it back with the same core. The Nuggets want to win now, and Derrick White might just be the catalyst that revives their dynasty dreams.
