With the NBA trade deadline approaching on February 6, trade chatter is intensifying. One team in the spotlight is the Denver Nuggets, currently holding the fourth spot in the Western Conference standings with a 27-16 record. Despite their strong position, the Nuggets are exploring potential roster upgrades. Led by Nikola Jokić, a frontrunner in the MVP race, and buoyed by Jamal Murray’s resurgence and Russell Westbrook’s rejuvenated play in his debut season with Denver, the team is eyeing ways to strengthen its depth.
Denver’s bench has been a weak link, averaging just 29.2 points per game a figure near the bottom of the league. To address this, the Nuggets are rumored to be targeting Toronto Raptors’ Bruce Brown, a seasoned player and former champion. Brown played a crucial role in Denver’s 2022-2023 championship season before departing in free agency. However, his recent seasons have been underwhelming, prompting the Raptors to explore trade options for him.
Oddsmakers at Bovada place Denver as the third-most likely destination for Brown, with +325 odds. The Miami Heat (+200) are currently favored, followed by the Los Angeles Lakers (+325). Acquiring Brown, however, would be a challenge for Denver due to salary cap constraints, likely requiring them to include Michael Porter Jr. in a deal. An alternative strategy for the Nuggets could be to wait and see if the Raptors fail to trade Brown, as there are reports Toronto may buy out his contract.
Regardless of the approach, a reunion with Brown would significantly bolster Denver’s bench and provide a much-needed boost as they push for a deeper playoff run.
