Nuggets’ core survived a tenuous offseason. Will it survive NBA trade deadline if struggles continue? – The Denver Post

Nuggets’ core survived a tenuous offseason. Will it survive NBA trade deadline if struggles continue?  The Denver Post

Josh Kroenke implied last offseason the Denver Nuggets could trade even Jamal Murray or Aaron Gordon, which could mean the core isn't safe from the NBA trade market. Just because the Nuggets’ starting lineup survived the offseason intact doesn’t mean the rumors will stop flying anytime soon. Case in point: While previewing the new NBA season last week — and the star players who could be traded during it — Ringer podcaster Zach Lowe floated Jamal Murray as an “out of nowhere” candidate. That was before Denver’s uninspiring first week of the year, which was lowlighted by a 20-point home loss to the Warriors. The speculation is based on common sense: Denver’s roster remains the most expensive in the NBA, exceeding the second apron by about $3.1 million despite the front office’s efforts to shed payroll this summer.

The Peyton Watson sign-and-trade, the Jonas Valanciunas waive-and-stretch, the acquisitions of Trevon Brazile and Alpha Diallo at rookie-minimum salaries and the ongoing wait to sign a 15th player — all of these decisions could be justified on the court in due time, but they also signaled self-imposed financial stress. Denver has until the Feb. 11, 2027, trade deadline to weasel out of the second apron — or else the CBA-ordained luxury tax and roster-building penalties will be locked in place. Efforts have