When it comes to the most surprising early playoff exit this season, the Denver Nuggets top the list. It’s almost unbelievable that a team boasting the league’s best center and having added depth during the season could be swept in the first round by the Timberwolves.
The issues facing this Nuggets squad are clear: an aging roster, insufficient offensive firepower, and a game plan that opponents have thoroughly dissected. Over three playoff appearances, they have now fallen to Minnesota twice. For a championship-caliber team built around Nikola Jokic, this exit serves as a red flag. Without major moves this summer, their situation will only grow more difficult in the coming years.
Jokic, while showing slight signs of decline, remains in his prime. This season he averaged 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.7 assists—MVP-caliber numbers. From the team’s perspective, the problem isn’t him; it’s the supporting cast around him, which has become increasingly thin on both ends of the floor.
Shortly after Denver’s elimination, U.S. media outlet Fadeaway World proposed four potential offseason trades worth considering:
Trade 1 – Trey Murphy III (New Orleans Pelicans)
The young wing has posted impressive numbers this season: 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. He offers a modern combination of three-point shooting, driving, and defensive versatility. Acquiring him would instantly upgrade Denver’s perimeter offense and defense. However, the cost would be significant. Proposed deal: Nuggets receive Trey Murphy; Pelicans receive Christian Braun, Zeke Nnaji, a 2026 first-round pick, a 2031 first-round pick, and a 2028 second-round pick.
Trade 2 – Derrick White (Boston Celtics)
White has long been an underrated complementary guard. Even during Jayson Tatum’s injury absence, he shouldered playmaking duties, finishing the regular season with 16.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game. But his playoff performance was a major concern—averaging just 8.7 points in the first round on 30% shooting. At 32 years old with a salary over $30 million, acquiring him carries risk. Proposed deal: Nuggets receive Derrick White; Celtics receive Cameron Johnson, Julian Strawther, and a 2026 first-round pick, a 2031 first-round pick, a 2026 second-round pick, and a 2028 second-round pick.
Trade 3 – Dyson Daniels (Atlanta Hawks)
Denver’s primary need is perimeter defense, and Daniels fits perfectly. He’s a long-armed, instinctive defender who has emerged as one of the league’s elite on-ball stoppers. At just 23, he has immense upside. He doesn’t need the ball in his hands, making him an ideal fit alongside Jokic, focusing on defense and transition. Proposed deal: Nuggets receive Dyson Daniels; Hawks receive Christian Braun, Julian Strawther, a 2026 first-round pick, a 2026 second-round pick, and a 2028 second-round pick.
Trade 4 – Herb Jones (New Orleans Pelicans)
Though his raw stats (8.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.6 steals) don’t jump off the page, Jones’ value lies in his elite defensive versatility, capable of switching from guards to forwards. He would be a hot commodity on the market. The catch: New Orleans views him as a core piece of their rebuild and may be reluctant to trade him. Proposed deal: Nuggets receive Herb Jones and Jordan Hawkins; Pelicans receive Christian Braun, Julian Strawther, a 2026 first-round pick, and a 2028 second-round pick.
Considering the above, the Nuggets clearly need major changes this summer. Among the proposals from U.S. media, which one seems most feasible? Who would be the best target to pair with Jokic?
