The Nuggets are actively looking for a perimeter defenseman before Thursday’s trade deadline, sources told the Denver Post.
The main hurdle they faced was their available trade tokens and more specifically the global contracts they would use to acquire such a defender, a source said. The goal, with next season also in mind, has always been to land a player who wouldn’t just be a hire.
Given how crippled the Nuggets are in terms of flexibility, they’ve even signaled their willingness to discuss their 2027 first-round pick, according to a source. It’s unclear if this could achieve any of their 3 and D goals, but it does indicate how aggressive the Nuggets are trying to be before Thursday’s trade deadline.
From a wider perspective, it’s also an indication of the organization’s urgency to capitalize on Nikola Jokic’s best years.
In order to land a rotation-level player in return, the Nuggets would have to almost use JaMychal Green’s $8.2 million contract (player option this summer). The eight-year veteran has the ability to veto any trade, making it difficult to trade with any non-competitor.
The Nuggets also have the expiring contracts of Facu Campazzo ($3.1 million), Austin Rivers ($2.4 million) and Vlatko Cancar ($1.8 million) to compile for salary-matching purposes. in a potentially bigger deal. Like Green, Rivers has veto power over any trade.
Campazzo is out of rotation, and there’s at least some feeling the Nuggets could find a team where he can get more playing time in the latter part of the season, sources said.