Denver Nuggets: Pros and cons of pursuing Victor Oladipo trade
By Dalton Sell
Denver Nuggets: The pros of making a Victor Oladipo trade
The Denver Nuggets undoubtedly have a star-studded tandem of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray leading the franchise, and their numbers back it up. However, to make a genuine push for the NBA Finals, there have been questions about whether they need to pursue a legitimate third star or not.
Michael Porter Jr. has shown potential flashes of being that third complement, but the jury is still out whether he can live up to that role, especially after playing in just six games this season due to COVID-19 protocols. If the Nuggets want to add a surefire third star to the lineup, they should pursue a trade for Victor Oladipo.
There were some looming questions regarding Oladipo’s health this season after playing just 19 regular-season games last year, but he has silenced those concerns early. Through the 12 games he has played, the two-time All-Star is averaging 20.6 points on .413/.348/.741 shooting splits, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per contest, currently having one of the best starts to his career. If the Denver Nuggets believe that they are just one piece away from pushing themselves over the edge in terms of title contention, this move is a no brainer.
A trio of Jokic, Murray, and Oladipo would be one of the best in the association, and looking around at the league’s premier contenders, it will take a strong Big Three to win this season. Brooklyn and Milwaukee have three stars leading the way while both Los Angeles teams boast two of the top duos in the league and they are in the upper echelon of contenders because of it. Would bringing Victor Oladipo to Denver elevate them into the same tier? It would certainly pose a strong case.