Denver has reportedly discussed trading for the five-time All-Star, but the road to making it happen is far from clear.
The Denver Nuggets are fresh off a first-round playoff exit to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the front office is clearly looking for ways to shake up a roster that has not advanced past the conference semifinals since winning the title in 2023.
One name that has now entered those conversations is Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown.
Denver Eyes a Big Swing
According to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, "Sources say that the Nuggets have at least internally discussed whether they have the asset wherewithal to join the trade chase for Boston's Jaylen Brown, but the Nuggets have yet to emerge as a bonafide landing spot for the Celtics' MVP candidate."
The interest makes sense given that Brown just turned in the best season of his career, averaging 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game while leading a Celtics team that went 56-26 and finished as the second seed in the Eastern Conference before falling to the 76ers in seven games.
The 2024 Finals MVP proved this past season that he can carry a franchise as the clear number one option, especially with Jayson Tatum missing significant time due to an Achilles injury, and he finished sixth in MVP voting.
Pairing Brown with Nikola Jokic, who put up 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists for a Nuggets team that went 54-28, would give Denver an elite offensive duo capable of competing with anyone in the Western Conference.
Brown's ability to score in isolation and defend the opposing team's best perimeter player would take pressure off Jokic and fill a role that Denver has needed since trading Michael Porter Jr. last offseason.
Why It Might Not Work
The problem for Denver is that the money does not add up easily, as the Nuggets are already projected to sit right above the $222 million second apron with roughly $185 million committed to just their five starters next season.
Jokic alone will earn $59 million, and Jamal Murray is set to make over $50 million, leaving the front office with almost no room as they also try to re-sign restricted free agent Peyton Watson.
Beyond the salary concerns, Denver is severely limited in the draft capital it can offer because the Nuggets owe first-rounders in 2027, 2029 and 2032, leaving only their 2031 pick available to trade outright.
Reports suggest the Celtics are looking for at least four first-round picks in any deal for Brown, which likely means Denver would need to move either Murray or Aaron Gordon just to acquire picks to send to Boston, and doing so would gut the depth of a roster that already faces questions about its remaining championship window.
Brown and Jokic on the same team would be must-watch basketball, but the path to making it happen remains far from clear, and with free agency opening on June 30, Denver does not have much time to figure it out.
