Denver pivoting from Bruce Brown’s arrival to guard-depth intrigue centers on Ayo Dosunmu, with Chicago’s package potentially sending Zeke Nnaji and Peyton Watson to the Bulls in exchange for Dosunmu and Justin Champagnie. Denver’s path hinges on Dosunmu’s downhill shooting, playmaking, and two-way coverage, which could mesh with Jokic and Murray while easing defensive matchups against teams like OKC. Westbrook’s status and a possible Wizards follow-up add intrigue to fantasy implications.

Denver traded Michael Porter Jr. and a 2032 first-round pick for Cameron Johnson, aiming to pair Jokic with a longer, smarter wing who can defend, pass and space the floor. Johnson’s 39.2% from three supports Jokic’s timing, while his cheaper deal helps breathing room against the luxury tax. Johnson’s durability concerns—60 games only twice in six years—keep upside balanced against risk.

Bleacher Report ranked the move No. 7 in bold offseasons, noting the tax relief and Jokic-centric window it pursues. Denver sacrifices Porter’s scoring punch for a two-way fit around Jokic, a risk in a stacked West. If Johnson stays healthy and fits, the Nuggets’ title odds stay strong and their ceiling remains sky-high.

In 2024-25 Jokic posted near-peak numbers (29.6 points, 10.2 assists, 41.7% 3P). The trade seeks to maximize his prime by surrounding him with shooting, playmaking, and defense, even as it skims off a championship-era contributor. The move signals a bold push for another deep playoff run while testing durability and chemistry.

Denver remains a perennial 50-win contender as the Nuggets head into 2025-26 with a coaching transition under David Adelman and a sharpened roster. Bleacher Report’s preview pins Denver at 54-28, four wins better than 2024-25, a mark that would tie for the franchise’s fourth-most all-time. Nikola Jokic stands as the anchor, with Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon in position to push the offense, while the return of Bruce Brown and the addition of Tim Hardaway Jr. strengthen the wing and secondary scoring. In the frontcourt, Cameron Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas join a core that already includes Christian Braun, DaRon Holmes II, and Julian Strawther, giving Denver increasing floor spacing, savvy finishing, and interior presence.

The Nuggets open the season October 23 vs. Golden State, a showcase for their revamped rotation and Adelman’s system. FanDuel’s over/under sits at 53.5 wins, underscoring the expectation of a tight, high-caliber campaign. The chatter around Jokic remains that he’s the near-unanimous top asset in the world, with Burns of the fan base in Milwaukee, L.A., and Oklahoma City still debating the case for others. Denver’s mix of MVP-caliber talent and reinforced depth keeps them squarely in the championship mix as they chase another deep playoff run.