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Denver Nuggets trade rumors are officially back in full swing, as the franchise is no longer in the mix for a championship in 2026.
Specifically, the Minnesota Timberwolves upset the Nuggets in the first-round of the playoffs as the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference with a depleted roster (Anthony Edwards missed several games due to a hyperextended left knee, and Donte DiVincenzo was ruled out for the season with a torn Achilles).
Could the Nuggets’ recent playoff woes propel the organization to part ways with star guard Jamal Murray and search for what they deem a noticeable upgrade? Yahoo Sports’ Tom Yaberstroh thinks so, citing that swapping Murray for a former New York Knicks star isn’t an outlandish idea.
“This (trade sending Murray and Zeke Nnaji to the Toronto Raptors for Murray-Boyles, Barrett, and Jakob Poeltl) is a bet on CMB being the next Draymond Green, a defensive mastermind who could flourish next to Jokić’s other-wordly playmaking abilities,” Yaberstroh wrote Friday.
“Trading for a 20-year-old next to Jokić would be a timeline risk, but the blossoming South Carolina product could instantly step in as Denver’s best defensive player and provide much-needed athleticism.”
“Balancing the defensive end of the floor has to be a priority while getting 80% of Murray’s offensive exploits with fellow Canadian guard (RJ) Barrett.”
Barrett played arguably the best basketball of his career in the 2026 postseason. The 25-year-old was a force to be reckoned with from an off the dribble scoring and perimeter shooting standpoint, averaging 24.1 points on 47.7% field goal shooting and 38.6% three-point shooting in seven games vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Raptors ultimately came up short, but Barrett’s breakout playoff performance unquestionably caused his trade value to skyrocket. The expectations for Barrett in Denver would be high, as Murray has solidified himself as one of the most skilled and valuable guards in the franchise’s history.
If the Nuggets are all in on Barrett, though, they could give him an opportunity to prove his worth with a Denver franchise that’s only three years removed from a championship.
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