The Nuggets need a talent upgrade in order to win a second championship. The Bulls need to trade their star Zach LaVine in order to keep their 2025 draft pick and continue to retool a roster with a low ceiling. Could a deal between the two sides be in the works?
The answer might be yes, according to reporting from The Athletic’s Tony Jones and Sam Amick. Those two released a report Tuesday night indicating that the Nuggets have “expressed interest in” LaVine, among other players. They added that “the focus on LaVine in recent discussions is significant.”
The Nuggets are in a tight financial situation. They’re above the first apron, meaning that they can’t take back more salary than they send out in any deal. And they don’t have a ton of tradable contracts. Michael Porter Jr.’s $35.8 million salary would have to be one of the outgoing pieces in any big trade.
Zeke Nnaji is also available, according to Amick and Jones. And importantly, there may be draft picks changing sides in this type of deal. “Any significant deal the Nuggets would do, may also have to involve a pick swap as a sweetener,” according to The Athletic’s report.
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