​Nikola Jokic of the Nuggets remains a fixture in Denver, with connections to the franchise running deep and a reputation for commitment that can be difficult to translate into a trade. In the event that the Nuggets ever entertain parting with their star center this summer, one team that could swing a bold move is the Minnesota Timberwolves.
A hypothetical trade scenario could see the Timberwolves land Jokic by parting with a package that includes Rudy Gobert, Donte DiVincenzo, Joan Beringer, Terrence Shannon Jr., unprotected first-round picks in 2028, 2029, and 2030, plus a 2030 second-round pick via the Memphis Grizzlies. To help balance the deal or sweeten it, the Charlotte Hornets might swap Minnesota’s 2028 and 2029 first-round selections. This summer has already seen Giannis Antetokounmpo change teams in a blockbuster deal, so a move for Jokic would likely command an even larger return.
Jokic, at 31, carries a substantial salary with a cap hit of $59 million for the 2026-27 season, the final guaranteed year of his current deal. After that, he would be eligible for a $62.8 million player option. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, are navigating a difficult cap situation. They have already upgraded around Anthony Edwards by acquiring guard LaMelo Ball from the Hornets, and the combined contracts of Ball, Edwards, and Gobert have pushed the franchise beyond the luxury tax threshold. Trading Gobert would clear a path to add Jokic, but additional pieces such as DiVincenzo, Beringer, and Shannon Jr. would need to move in tandem to create enough space for Jokic’s vast salary.
Denver, meanwhile, would likely want to preserve the core that includes Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon, while weighing the defensive value Gobert could bring alongside Jokic. Gobert’s four-time Defensive Player of the Year pedigree would be a significant asset on the floor, particularly in the playoffs, and could help mitigate the defensive gaps that sometimes appear when Jokic is on the floor. The calculus for Denver would involve a desire to maintain continuity and chemistry, even as they explore the feasibility of swapping a franchise cornerstone for a substantial, draft-rich return.
In any reported deal, the Nuggets would need a haul of future assets to justify moving Jokic, given the franchise’s strong position and Jokic’s pivotal role. The Timberwolves would face their own challenges in assembling a package that could beat what other teams might offer, given the scale of value Jokic commands and the longstanding relationship between Jokic and the Nuggets organization. If Minnesota is ever in a position to pursue Jokic aggressively, the trade would likely hinge on unprotected future selections and multiple young players, paired with veteran contributors who can help balance the roster on both ends.
As the landscape of the league continues to evolve, the likelihood of a Jokic-to-Nuggets trade remains one of the most talked-about speculative scenarios in NBA circles. The deal’s viability would depend on a multitude of factors, including Jokic’s willingness to relocate, the Nuggets’ long-term plan, and the Timberwolves’ ability to assemble a package powerful enough to entice Denver while respecting the constraints of the cap and the value of future draft assets. The conversation around Jokic’s trade value is inherently tied to these complex financial and strategic considerations, and any consensus would only emerge once a concrete offer is on the table and both sides gauge the implications for competing at the highest level in the NBA.