The Nuggets are gauging the trade market on Zeke Nnaji and Dario Saric, Hoops Hype’s Michael Scotto reports.
Denver doesn’t appear to be looking for any blockbuster-type moves. Rather, the Nuggets front office is seeking to upgrade the bench prior to Thursday’s trade deadline, according to Scotto and the Denver Post’s Bennett Durando.
The Nuggets, Scotto hears, have expressed interest in Hornets wing Cody Martin and Sixers big man Guerschon Yabusele. Martin has one year and $8.68MM remaining on his contract, while Yabusele has an expiring deal.
With Denver owing 10 future draft picks to various teams, potential suitors have been inquiring about young rotation players such as Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther, according to Scotto. The Nuggets have even heard from teams wondering if they’d give up Christian Braun but Denver’s front office has brushed them off.
Nnaji has three more years left on his deal, while Saric possesses a $5.4MM option on next season’s contract. As Durando notes, the Nuggets are a first apron team and can’t acquire more salary than they send out. The only tradeable first-round pick they have is in 2031 but it’s devalued by protections on the 2025, 2027 and 2029 first-rounders they’ve already dealt.
Nuggets coach Michael Malone declared on Monday that forward Michael Porter Jr. won’t be traded. Porter Jr. previously came up in reported trade talks regarding Zach LaVine, who was just dealt to Sacramento. Chicago, however, was reluctant to take Nnaji contract and there were also internal questions about whether LaVine and Jamal Murray could’ve coexisted effectively on both sides of the ball, Scotto adds.