The NBA trade deadline has passed and the Denver Nuggets were one of four teams that did not make a single move.
Denver joined the Minnesota Timberwolves, Orlando Magic and Portland Trail Blazers as the four teams who did not make a move this trade deadline.
Of course, the Nuggets lack trade assets and they are happy with their current roster. After a slow start to the season, Denver has looked like they are going to be a threat in the Western Conference as they try to make another championship run.
The Nuggets currently sit fourth in the West standings with a 31-19 record. They have also won four consecutive games and seven of their last 10 contests.
Three-time MVP Nikola Jokić has led the way for Denver this season as he has once again put himself in the MVP race. The rest of Denver’s starting rotation has also been productive this season, especially Michael Porter Jr. and Russell Westbrook.
While the Nuggets’ starters have been great, their bench has been a major issue, and they were expected to make a move to improve their depth ahead of the trade deadline. Instead, they decided to keep their roster together and their general manager Calvin Booth addressed the Nuggets’ trade deadline Thursday night.
“We weren’t close to doing anything with anybody in our rotation,” Booth said.
In the press conference, Booth also mentioned that the Nuggets did dangle Zeke Nnaji, Dario Šarić and their draft capital in potential trades. Unfortunately, Denver was unable to find a team willing to take on those players, which led to Denver keeping their roster together.
While the Nuggets’ choice to not break up their starting rotation was a solid one, they desperately needed to upgrade their depth. Denver’s bench has been one of the least productive in the NBA this season, and they were unable to do anything to improve it.
Of course, the Nuggets can still use the buyout market to upgrade their depth, but they would have to waive one of their bench players since they do not have an open roster spot.