The Denver Nuggets have entered the 2025 NBA offseason with plenty of ambition and urgency. After winning the NBA championship in 2023, the Nuggets were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs in each of the following two seasons. With a core centered around Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon, the front office felt the time was right to shake things up in order to maximize their title window. That decision led to an offseason filled with big moves, roster reshaping, and even the creation of some wild trade speculation that could completely alter the NBA landscape.

Denver Nuggets Make Bold Moves in the Offseason

The Nuggets began their offseason with a major swing: trading away Michael Porter Jr. and a first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Cameron Johnson. Porter Jr. had been an integral part of Denver’s championship run two years ago, but his inconsistency and defensive concerns made him expendable in the eyes of management. Johnson, while not as prolific a scorer, offers strong floor spacing and defense, giving the Nuggets more lineup flexibility.

Denver didn’t stop there. In free agency, they brought back a familiar face in Bruce Brown, who had been a key role player during the 2023 title run before leaving for a larger payday. They also signed Tim Hardaway Jr., another proven shooter and veteran presence who can provide scoring off the bench. To bolster their frontcourt depth, the Nuggets traded with the Sacramento Kings to acquire Jonas Valanciunas, a reliable rebounder and physical interior presence who can anchor second units when Jokic is resting.

These roster moves signaled a clear message: Denver isn’t content to simply run it back. They want to adapt and improve, especially in a Western Conference that has become increasingly competitive with teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder emerging as dominant forces.

The Nuggets as a Threat to the Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder have been pegged as the team to beat in the West after their remarkable rise behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and a loaded supporting cast. For the Nuggets, who were dethroned earlier than expected in consecutive playoff runs, the question is whether their offseason moves will be enough to regain their championship edge.

Adding Johnson, Brown, Hardaway Jr., and Valanciunas strengthens Denver’s depth significantly. Jokic remains the best passing big man in the game and arguably the best player in the world, while Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon continue to provide high-level support. The retooled roster appears well-prepared to challenge OKC and any other contender that stands in their way.

However, despite these positive changes, some analysts and fans still wonder whether this iteration of the Nuggets has the long-term firepower to reclaim the title. That’s where a recent mock trade idea has stirred significant debate.

The Wild Jokic-to-Grizzlies Mock Trade

In a surprising twist, Sports Illustrated’s Mark Morales-Smith proposed a mock trade that would completely shake up the NBA landscape. The idea involved the Nuggets trading both Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and three first-round picks.

The proposal, while fascinating, is extremely unlikely to occur. Jokic is widely regarded as the best player in the world, a two-time MVP and Finals MVP who is the heart and soul of Denver basketball. Murray, despite some recent inconsistency and injuries, has been Jokic’s trusted running mate for years, forming one of the most potent duos in the NBA.

Trading away both cornerstones for an injury-prone Morant, a talented but often streaky Jackson Jr., and future draft capital would be the ultimate gamble for Denver.

Why the Nuggets Wouldn’t Consider This Trade

From Denver’s perspective, this hypothetical deal makes very little sense. Jokic has given no public indication that he wants out, and while he reportedly told the team he would not sign an extension until next season, he still has contractual control through 2027 if he declines his player option. Denver would essentially be giving up on their championship window prematurely, something their recent offseason moves suggest they have no intention of doing.

Additionally, Jokic’s game is unique and irreplaceable. His passing ability, scoring touch, and leadership cannot be replicated, even by someone as dynamic as Morant. Trading him would not just be moving a superstar—it would be dismantling the very system that has made Denver successful.

As for Murray, while his numbers have dipped slightly since the championship year, he remains one of the league’s most reliable playoff performers when healthy. His two-man game with Jokic has been the backbone of the Nuggets’ offense for years, and moving him in such a deal would only weaken the team’s chemistry.

Why the Grizzlies Would Hesitate Too

On the flip side, the Memphis Grizzlies would also have reservations. While acquiring Jokic would be a dream scenario for nearly every franchise, the cost of losing both Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. could be too steep. Morant, despite his off-court controversies and injury history, remains one of the most electrifying guards in the league. Jackson Jr., the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year, is an anchor on that side of the floor.

Giving up both of them, along with multiple first-round picks, would decimate Memphis’ long-term flexibility. While pairing Jokic with Desmond Bane and the rest of Memphis’ supporting cast would be intriguing, it’s not a realistic path the Grizzlies would be willing to pursue.

The Jokic Dilemma and Denver’s Future

One factor fueling these kinds of mock trade scenarios is Jokic’s looming contract situation. By declining to sign an early extension, he has left the door open for speculation about his long-term future. If Denver continues to underperform in the postseason, rumors about his potential departure will only grow louder.

That said, trading Jokic now, at the peak of his prime, would be the definition of organizational panic. The Nuggets have shown no indication of exploring that path. Instead, their offseason moves signal confidence that Jokic remains committed and that the team can retool around him successfully.

For the Nuggets, the focus is clear: surround Jokic and Murray with versatile, tough role players who can defend and space the floor. If the new roster gels as expected, Denver could easily find itself back in the Western Conference Finals, if not another NBA Finals.

Why This Trade Will Never Happen

While mock trades are always fun for fans and analysts to debate, the reality is that this particular scenario is as unlikely as they come. Jokic is not just Denver’s franchise player; he is their identity. Murray, despite his flaws, has a bond with Jokic that makes their partnership irreplaceable. Meanwhile, Memphis is unlikely to sacrifice its young cornerstones for even the best player in the world, especially given the uncertainty that comes with such a massive shake-up.

At the end of the day, both franchises are better off staying the course with their current stars. Denver believes its offseason moves have put the team back in position to contend, while Memphis continues to build around its young, athletic core.

Final Thoughts

The Denver Nuggets have had a busy offseason, one that has positioned them as a legitimate threat in the Western Conference once again. Adding Cameron Johnson, Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Jonas Valanciunas provides them with improved depth and balance, addressing weaknesses that cost them in the past two seasons.

As for the wild Jokic-to-Memphis mock trade, it remains nothing more than an entertaining fantasy. While it would undoubtedly shake the NBA to its core, both the Nuggets and Grizzlies have strong reasons to avoid such a deal. For now, Denver remains committed to chasing another championship with Nikola Jokic leading the charge, and until further notice, their title window is very much open.