The Nuggets have interest in making a deal for Bulls wing Zach LaVine, The Athletic’s Sam Amick and Tony Jones report.
Denver is active in the market for an offensive upgrade at the wing position to ease some of the burden off Nikola Jokic. Despite a history of injury issues, LaVine would certainly fit that bill. He’s averaging 21.7 points and 4.2 assists per game this season and holds career shooting percentages of 46.6% from the field and 38.4% on three-pointers.
LaVine is also on a sizable contract — $43MM this season, $45.9MM next season and a $48.9MM player option for 2026/27.
LaVine isn’t the only player the Nuggets are looking at. They have also expressed interest or have had preliminary trade discussions regarding Jordan Poole, Jordan Clarkson, De’Andre Hunter, Cameron Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas, per The Athletic. Brandon Ingram, currently sidelined by an ankle injury, is on the Nuggets’ radar too, SNY TV’s Ian Begley tweets.
However, league sources tell Amick and Jones that Denver’s focus on LaVine in recent talks has been “significant.”
Any big trade Denver might make would likely involve Michael Porter Jr., according to The Athletic duo. Porter is making $35.8MM this season, $38.3MM next season and $40.8MM in 2026/27.
Porter is off to a strong start statistically, averaging 18.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per contest. He’s shooting 51.2% overall and 38.5% on three-point attempts.
So why is Denver willing to part with him? The Nuggets are seeking help in the form of someone who is able to create offense. Jokić and Jamal Murray are the only players on the roster who are consistently capable of creating their own shots, The Athletic notes.
Little-used forward Zeke Nnaji, a 2020 first-round pick, is also available. He’s signed through the 2027/28 season on a four-year, $32MM deal that includes a player option.
Wow, Lavine for MPJ! This is the most interesting rumor in a long time, and it makes sense.
Bulls get a bit of relief on Lavine’s bad contract, and Denver gets a player better suited to their offense.
As with Aaron Gordon, Denver might re-ignite Lavine’s faltering career.
Doubt that this trade will happen. Doesn’t do much for the Bulls. MPJ’s contract goes for the same length as LaVine’s contract (understand that only $12 million of the salary for the last season is guaranteed). MPJ gets paid almost as much as LaVine. The trade doesn’t do much for the Bulls so why make the trade?
Bulls can reduce payroll by $8 million a year and 1 less year of Zach’s contract. Zach’s i option year is a player option which he will pick up.
In retrospect you are right and I am a bit wrong. Excluding this season, the Bulls could save $50 million by making the trade. I’m not a LaVine hater. LaVine is the only player on the Bulls with extraordinary talent and athleticism. LaVine is made a scapegoat too much for the Bull’s lack of success. The Bull’s real problem is lack of size, athleticism and talent on their front line.
Which is what Porter would bring…
True. The trade does make sense.
Say no to Levine! If Porter is traded we need multiple players on 15-20 mil salaries. Maybe something with Porter going to Detroit, Cam Johnson to Denver and picks to Brooklyn?
What picks? Cam going to cost at least 2 firsts.
Gl getting 2 1sts for cam after getting a 2nd for shroeder. I’ll believe it when I see it
Nets are not that into trading Johnson unless they get something in return. It would cost at least a 1st round pick and a good young player.
I can’t see any team wanting either player under his existing contract. But I could see each team (reluctantly) doing this swap, because each really needs to jettison the player they have. It goes beyond skill set, particularly with LaVine. The return isn’t pretty in either case, but:
For CHI, MPJ at least tries (sometimes) on the defensive end, and, at his natural spot (PF), he can be a plus rebounder, and it will help PW too. MPJ is a bit younger too, so this can be sold along those lines. Really, the biggie is they get LaVine out of the locker room, not that he knows many people in there.
For DEN, they get to show Jokic that they really care about his window. Why else would they roll the dice so recklessly like this. For sure, Jokic won’t have to ever again worry about having to handle the ball on every possession. In the end though, the defensive side of this can’t end well. Malone is one of the best, but I doubt even he can work LaVine into a functional team defense. If he does, he should be immediately inducted into the HOF.
“Reluctantly” is a good term.
Risky for Denver, yes. Still, based on how well Lavine has been playing lately, there is a chance it works out well.
Also, fear of Jamal Murray’s decline is growing…
It’ll be very interesting to see how this would work. I’d think they would be sliding Braun up a position and considering him a small forward instead of 2 guard – at 6″6 he has borderline size for it, but he absolutely has the defensive chops to handle it.
Puts a lot of pressure on Gordon and Jokic for rebounding though.
Not really. MPJ averages about 7 TRB, Braun averages about 5 as a SG. He’d probably get up to about 6 as a forward, and LaVine isn’t far off Braun’s totals as a SG. It’s not that big of a downgrade.
Also MPJ is arguably a worse defender than LaVine, because he’s a negative everywhere, without exception, but LaVine is a slight positive as a PoA defender. Not anything to write home about, but any positive is better than all negative.
MPJ is a great natual rebounder, but he doesn’t participate in offensive rebounding and, as a 3, he’s the 3rd guy on the defensive end. Best defensive rebounding 3 in the league? Maybe, but it’s not a biggie. MPJ rotates to the 4 sometimes when Gordon and Jokic aren’t both in the game, and MPJ is a better all around player there than at the 3 (LaVine obviously won’t do that, so they’d need another big in rotation).
The more I think about it, the more I like the deal for CHI and less I like it for DEN. They should try to move MPJ, but, aside from their seasonal aspirations, time is at least a little more on their side with this than it is on CHI’s side with LaVine. No market for either, but more likely that another suitor might appear for MPJ than LaVine.
Jalen Johnson and LeBron are both a good bit ahead of MPJ as defensive rebounders among 3s, just to clarify. He’s up there for a SF, but he’s not the best in the league.
I agree that the deal isn’t necessarily good for the Nuggets, but I don’t think there *is* a good deal available for them. They don’t have many assets.
LaVine does give them some things they need that the current team doesn’t have, namely shot creation and movement shooting. MPJ is a good catch and shoot option, but LaVine is just as good if not better and he’s an elite pull-up 3pt shooter (42% on four attempts per game this year) who can also attack the rim at a high level and has a bit of playmaking ability. Defensively, it’s a potential downgrade, but offensively it is absolutely better. Is it worth the bigger contract? Maybe not. But it isn’t a *bad* move, and they do need more than they’ve gotten.
i like it
Just like how the Warriors saved their season by trading for Schroder, Denver could do the same with LaVine.
Rather watch angel Reese brick 1800 times a game than that product on the floor with Polio Boy and MPJ.
Wishing the Nuggets could arrange some sort of deal to get Bruce Brown, Jeff green, and KCP back for MPJ
KCP should be considered right now
You can never go home again.
Damn dude
Wow. Didnt think teams would want to go for a negative contract like Lavine.
Who would need to add some assets?
Denver would take on 54 million in extra salary…
Nnaji, Saric, Cancar, Pickett, Tyson and cash for KCP (or Brown I guess)
Orlando figures out the roster crunch because I don’t work for them and Nuggets sign a bunch of free agents in Bismack Biyombo etc etc etc etc. All kinds of players waiting for a opportunity
You’ve got to realize that Denver considers Porter’s contract to be inflated also. And just as Lavine has an injury history, so does Porter’s chronic back issue worry Denver.
Like DXC said, these are “reluctant” partners.
Considering LaVines contract, injury history and the fact they have had him on the trade block for like 2 years now surely this comes with extra compensation going to Denver.
MPJ is overpaid aswell and Zeke offers next to nothing but surely it comes with a first or two aswell in which case great business for Denver.
It’ll be interesting tho, Braun has been solid as the SG and I don’t think they would move him to SF to accommodate LaVine. So does that mean they drop him to the bench and look to possible add a SF with the extra roster spot or do they get Torrey Craig in the deal to fill the gap. Not a bad 3 and D vet that can definitely play a role for them.
TJ Warren would also be another guy to keep an eye on off they want to add at SF.
For Chicago it’s also great business.
MPJ is a non ball dominate forward who shoots terrifically and rebounds great, which would pair well with Coby White and/or Josh Giddey. Matas or Pat Will as the 4 would fit nicely aswell.
Then in the draft add a centre (Maluach, Queen, Broome or even Kalkbrenner).
Might cost you a first but that’s a great plan moving forward.
I like them all. Maluach as a defensive force, Queen as a 6’10 scoring big, Broome 6’10 and improving his whole game and Ryan K improving his game in his extra senior season. His field goal percentage is pretty high right now in college
100 percent “no.” Porter is a team player, gives you rebounding, 3-pt shooting and offensive efficiency. Could he be better? Yes. But he’s not the issue. Jamal is. Peyton’s inconsistency is. Zeke’s ROI is. Trading away too many picks is. Now you’ve either got to improve on the margins or find a deal for a player or two without as much risk as Lavine.
Denver does need a SG starter from the age range of 26-29.
They should trade Nnaji, Saric, Pickett, Tyson and a 1st for that SG.
Look at free agents to sign. Plenty of guys ready to prove something
Cam Johnson would be the best fit as hes mpj with defense. 40 percent from 3, can play the 3 or 4. Can get their own shot off a bit. But he’s on a great contract and the whole league wants him.
Yeah but he’s far more valuable than MPJ and interest would be sky high if the Nets made him available. MPJ wouldn’t be their first choice.
The biggest issue for Denver is that they need a shot creator. MPJ produces, but he’s almost solely an off-ball player (80% of 2s and 91% of 3s assisted). Murray is sucking this year. Russ is one of the most inefficient players ever. Gordon can’t be trusted as a creator because his jumper isn’t consistent. Braun can play, but he’s still more suited to off-ball actions. The whole offense is on Jokic, and that’s untenable. This isn’t the 90’s with team defense being utterly illegal outside of double teams. You need a second option at minimum, and Murray isn’t holding up his end of that bargain.
This would be a risky play, but it would alleviate one of the worst holes on the Nuggets, offensively. In terms of fit, it’s about equal to a Butler trade, but would cost less in terms of assets. The defense would take a hit, but not as much of one as you’d think, given MPJ is also an ass defender, just slightly better than LaVine because he’s taller and longer. Playing LaVine at the 2 and Braun at the 3 is arguably better than the current setup.
Denver doesn’t really have attractive trade assets. All of their players get a slight downgrade in trade because they’re beneficiaries of the Jokic Effect. Their only available first is in 2031, which is too far ahead to accurately gauge its value. They have minimal 2nds. They can’t really trade many of their young guys because they’re either minimal value or important roleplayers. It’s basically risky swings or nothing.
They do need to cut payroll. Instead of trading MPJ i would dangle Murray in a trade for a couple of starters and a above average PG. Sometimes you need to go all in to make a trade that gets you over the hump.
Who would make that trade, though? Houston might be willing to trade FVV to get Murray, but his cap hit is bigger than Murray’s, and Nnaji is a negative asset, so they wouldn’t be getting a ton back, and it’d be end-of-the-bench guys, not rotation players. That does the opposite of helping the Nuggets, especially since FVV can’t attack the rim. The T-Wolves for Randle and Conley? I can’t see that happening, even if Randle’s a bad fit for them, and he’s not any better of a fit for Denver, plus Conley looks cooked. Miami for Rozier, Highsmith, and Ware? Denver would immediately hang up. The tanking teams aren’t going to be interested.
MPJ is the most likely player to get traded and if they got levine for him that would make Nuggets much better. Murray is going to be a very bad contract in the future as his pay goes up. Only way i can see them getting rid of it if they take contracts from a desperate Laker’s team but Nuggets get just bench players for Murray.
Price of winning, Murray helped them to a title and broke the Lakers hearts along the way. This is similar to what Kyle Lowry got after his ring in 2019, only difference was Lowry was like 32/33 and Murray is 27.
FWIW I would keep Murray because you can tell Jokic loves playing with him and they have a great relationship on and off the court. Why would you want to upset your franchise player? This isn’t like Brandon Roy with bad knees, he came back and he helped them win a title. They just need to get better depth so they don’t ride him out before he’s 30. That’s all.
This analysis is absolutely spot on!
Lavine for MPJ and then add 1 or two 3&D guys for Russ to kick out to on the second unit.
I’m going to lose my mind if MPJ is a Chicago Bull. He does not make anyone better, he is product of Jokic who is an all time great and commands attention from opposing defenses. The only thing that MPJ does well is shoot the 3, 40% 3PT shooter. He recently started learning to pass the ball but he is still averaging 1.3 APG for his career. If you combine him and Polio Pat on the same court for this team, I think fans will riot. This is simply reshuffling the deck on AKME instead of a complete tear down. I would rather keep Lavine and trade him in the offseason if his value is still gaining momentum. I think AKME wants atleast a 2025 pick in return and it’s a deep draft class so this is the only reason that I can think of them trading him right now.
1000% No to this trade. It’s not a good fit. MPj grabs the second most rebounds in the starting unit. He’s often under the basket battling for boards against guys like Naz Reid, Rui Hachimura, Lebron James, PJ Washington. Braun or Lavine or Peyton have no shot at boarding against guys like that. There’s a big difference between 6’10/220 pounds and 6’5/200 pounds. And if their lineup is Murray/Lavine, then who is gonna guard Luka and Kyrie, or Lebron when he’s playing point. Braun has done a great job transitioning to a starting level sg. But he’s not Kawhi Leonard; you can’t shift him over to small forward and expect his game to remain intact. A team with Lavine/Murray and Jokic is not going to be able to defend well and without Porter they’ll give up a ton of offensive rebounds. And if they don’t grab defensive boards, they won’t be able to get fast break points. So no this would be a terrible trade for Denver. The Nuggets need Murray to play/especially score as well as Lavine…although the starting lineup is still playing well. The Nuggets problem for years has been their bench. Their inability to acquire and play a backup center that is actually a backup center. They keep trying to copy the Golden State formula of playing a small ball 5 out bench lineup. Maybe they should try playing a bench center who is over 6 foot 10 and 245 pounds; a young athlete that rebounds and defends and dunks. If you look at their lineup data, you’ll see the Nugget lineups that play bad are lineups without enough rebounding (lineups with Jokic or Jordan).
Denver won with this team. Almost made it again last year with this team. Not sure I’d make that move. Injuries have hampered Denver more than anything else, not the ability. Clarkson would be a nice off the bench game changer for them, but that is as much tweaking as I’d do. They’re good. It’s the playoffs that really matter.
Honestly I would rather trade Lavine for Jimmy Butler then flip Butler for someone who can be slotted into b the trade exemption and an expiring. Slightly less money for another multi-year contract, injury prone star not on the Bulls timeline seems counterproductive.
Also has a story of poetry to it, so “Bulls last 10 years” apology.
MPJ and Nnaji to Nets
LaVine to Nuggets
Ben Simmons and picks to Bulls
Bulls would only have 89M on the books next year. They could acquire more bad players and accumulate draft capital for the next 2 seasons. That would be a good game plan. Or go after a worthy FA that isn’t injury prone.