​Nuggets predicted to part ways with $218M NBA champion, elite All-Star shot-maker in cap move originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Denver Nuggets have had quite the offseason, to say the least, and it has been difficult for them, as they have only had so much flexibility to make moves. The Nuggets had to let go of Peyton Watson because they did not have enough money to pay him.Denver won the NBA championship a few years ago. Now, they sit in a position where they are in the worst financial spot they have been in ever.“The Denver Nuggets were in a tough financial position before the offseason got underway, and by re-signing Spencer Jones to a two-year, $12 million deal, they slid into the second apron with a projected luxury tax penalty of $68 million, the highest in franchise history. However, this is all with two roster spots still to fill,” SI’s Logan Struck wrote.Another concerning thing is that Nikola Jokic is set to potentially become a free agent. There are some who are not 100% sure he will want to stay with Denver.“[Nikola Jokic] can profess his loyalty to the [Denver] Nuggets, there’s still going to be teams that are positioning themselves and monitoring that. … It’s the same thing with Luka. He’s done nothing but express optimism and excitement … but it’s not that long-term of an extension,” ESPN’s Tim MacMahon said.The Nuggets might get to a spot where they want to blow the entire roster up. Heavy.com’s Sean Deveney believes that if it gets to that point, Denver could move on from Jamal Murray.“It’s not likely to happen now, but the finances in Denver are grim. It’s not hard to see a Jaylen Brown situation here,” Deveney wrote.This would be a crazy turn of events, as Murray has been a huge part of the Nuggets’ success. He is an All-Star and was a big part of Denver winning an NBA championship in 2023.Murray has made $218 million throughout his career. If Denver wants to trade him, he will have more than enough value to give them a good haul while clearing up some financial flexibility.More NBA news:Celtics predicted to trade Paul George for $240M high-scoring duo to pair with Jayson TatumPistons’ Jalen Duren gets major sign-and-trade update as $10M contract stalemate continuesHeat linked to ex-Lakers $180M former first-rounder, veteran shooter to fill final roster spotLakers may regret letting Celtics sign $22M former first-rounder after losing him to Boston