Predicting 3 big buyers and 3 fire sellers of the 2025 NBA trade deadline
By Dre Gibbs
Buyer #2: Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets are coming off a disappointing loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference semifinals and lost Kentavious Caldwell Pope to free agency. This is the second summer they’ve lost a critical rotational piece in the offseason (Bruce Brown to Raptors 23’). Pope, was the perfect wing for them, shooting 40.6 percent from three, and was their point-of-attack defender. Often guarding the opposing team's best player, doing so at an extremely high level.
Christian Braun is expected to step up into that starting wing spot, and is great finisher at the rim but doesn’t have the shooting or lateral quickness that Pope provided. The Nuggets also don’t have much depth in the position. Look for them to add a 3 and D wing as they approach the deadline.
Making a move won’t be easy as they are hard-capped at the second apron and don’t have many assets they can give up without sacrificing their championship window. Peyton Watson has shown promise in limited minutes. He’s a player who could spark some interest if they’re looking to make a move.
Jokic has separated himself as the best player in the world, but the West continues to get better and better, Nuggets may have to make a move to keep up.