With their championship window wide open, the Denver Nuggets may need one more bold move to stay ahead in a loaded Western Conference.

IMAGE: Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) collides with Philadelphia 76ers forward Justin Edwards (19) in the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. / Kyle Ross / Imagn Images

The Denver Nuggets didn’t just make a trade this offseason-they made a statement. By flipping Michael Porter Jr. for Cam Johnson, Denver subtly redefined its identity around Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray’s strengths. Johnson isn’t the flashiest name, but his fit is clean: he brings floor spacing, defensive versatility, and an efficient, low-maintenance offensive game that complements the Nuggets’ core in ways Porter Jr. never quite could.

Let’s be clear-Porter had his moments. He could fill it up in a hurry and stretch defenses with his shooting.

But his streaky play and defensive lapses became harder to hide deep in the postseason. With Johnson in the fold, the Nuggets get a more consistent presence who doesn’t need the ball to make an impact.

His ability to slot into various lineups without disrupting flow gives head coach Michael Malone more flexibility as he maps out Denver’s path through a loaded Western Conference.

But as good as Johnson is, he might not be the final piece. The West is unforgiving, and Denver can’t afford to sit still.

With Jokić in his prime and Murray entering the peak of his career, the Nuggets are in a win-now window that demands proactive roster management. That means staying aggressive-and possibly making another move before the trade deadline.

So who’s on the radar? Three names stand out-each offering a different kind of boost, and each representing a distinct approach to building around the league’s most unique superstar.

First up: Jarrett Allen. The big man in Cleveland has been one of the NBA’s most quietly effective rim protectors, anchoring the paint with shot-blocking, rebounding, and finishing touch that doesn’t require offensive touches to be impactful.

That’s what makes him such a compelling fit next to Jokić. Allen wouldn’t take anything off the table offensively, and defensively, he’d give Denver a much-needed safety net.

Let’s not sugarcoat it-the Nuggets struggled mightily when Jokić sat last season. Opponents attacked the paint relentlessly, and Denver lacked a true interior presence to stem the bleeding.

Allen could change that dynamic. He’d offer a stabilizing presence off the bench or even in select two-big lineups, much like how the Lakers used Dwight Howard next to Anthony Davis during their 2020 title run.

That kind of versatility matters in the playoffs, where matchups dictate everything.

The challenge, of course, is cost. Allen is under contract at over $20 million annually, so acquiring him wouldn’t be cheap.

Cleveland has been hesitant to move him in the past, but with young stars like Darius Garland and Evan Mobley needing more offensive runway, there might be an opening. Denver would have to weigh the pros and cons of parting with young talent and draft capital, but Allen’s fit is hard to ignore.

He’d take the pressure off Aaron Gordon defensively and help the Nuggets survive when Jokić isn’t on the floor-two things that could make all the difference in a seven-game series.

If Denver wants to double down on the strategy that brought in Cam Johnson-prioritizing two-way wings who fit the Jokić ecosystem-then OG Anunoby becomes a very interesting target. Anunoby is one of the league’s premier wing defenders, capable of guarding four positions and taking on the toughest assignments night after night. He’s also a solid floor spacer and smart cutter, making him an ideal cog in Jokić’s pass-heavy offense.

Christian Braun has shown flashes, but he’s still growing into his role. Anunoby would raise the ceiling of Denver’s defense immediately.

Think about the matchups in the West: Luka Dončić, Anthony Edwards, LeBron James. You need someone who can at least make those guys work.

Anunoby is that kind of defender, and he wouldn’t clog the offense on the other end.

Pulling him away from the Knicks, though, won’t be easy. He’s signed long-term and is a key part of what New York’s building.

But his injury history could eventually prompt the Knicks to re-evaluate his long-term role, especially if their playoff push stalls. A trade package involving Cam Johnson, a young player, and picks might at least get the conversation started.

It would be a bold move-but one that could pay off in a big way come playoff time.

Then there’s the more familiar option: Jerami Grant. Nuggets fans remember what he brought to the table during the 2019-20 season-defensive versatility, timely buckets, and surprising shot creation.

Since then, he’s expanded his game in Detroit and Portland, becoming a reliable scorer even in less-than-ideal situations. A reunion could make a lot of sense.

Grant’s value lies in his adaptability. He can guard multiple positions, knock down open threes, and create offense when needed.

In Denver, he wouldn’t have to shoulder the load like he did in Portland. Instead, he could slide back into the role he once thrived in-cutting off the ball, spacing the floor, and defending high-level wings.

He knows the system, he knows the stars, and he knows what it takes to win alongside Jokić.

Portland’s direction will dictate Grant’s availability. If they’re leaning into a rebuild around Scoot Henderson and their young core, moving Grant and his sizable contract might be on the table.

Denver wouldn’t have to gut its roster to make it happen either. A combination of picks and salary filler could be enough, especially if the Blazers are looking to reset.

It wouldn’t be a headline-grabber, but it would be a smart, strategic move-one that adds playoff-tested depth without disrupting the team’s identity.

So here’s where the Nuggets stand: they’ve already taken a step forward by bringing in Cam Johnson. But in a conference where the margin between contender and pretender is razor-thin, they can’t afford to get complacent. Whether it’s Allen shoring up the paint, Anunoby locking down the perimeter, or Grant filling gaps with two-way versatility, the right midseason addition could be the key to another championship run.

The talent is there. The urgency is real. Now it’s up to the front office to find that missing piece-the one that turns a great team into an unstoppable one when it matters most.