Denver Nuggets president Josh Kroenke has definitively ruled out trading franchise cornerstone Nikola Jokic, while signaling that significant changes could still be coming to the roster following a disappointing first-round playoff exit.
The Nuggets’ season came to an abrupt end last week, as the Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated Denver in six games. The early postseason departure has prompted soul-searching within the organization, with Kroenke acknowledging that the team may need to retool around its superstar.
“I think everything’s on the table, outside of trading Nikola,” Kroenke told reporters, drawing a firm line around the three-time MVP while leaving the rest of the roster open for discussion.
Injuries plagued Denver throughout the campaign, preventing the team from ever finding consistent rhythm. Aaron Gordon appeared in just 36 regular-season games, while Christian Braun, Cam Johnson, and Peyton Watson all missed extended stretches. The lack of continuity proved costly in the postseason.
“This season was, in a lot of ways, the season that never was, because this group never fully got a chance to show any kind of rhythm,” Kroenke said.
Since their 2022-23 championship season, the Nuggets have reached the Conference Finals only once. With the core of Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Gordon growing older and the Western Conference remaining brutally competitive, team brass appears ready to evaluate whether the current supporting cast is sufficient for another title push.
Gordon, acquired in March 2021, has been a key part of the Nuggets’ run, though he battled a calf issue that sidelined him for three games in the first-round series. Jokic and Murray, meanwhile, have been teammates for a decade.
Despite the early exit, there were bright spots. Murray delivered a career-best season, averaging 25.4 points per game and earning his first All-Star selection. However, his looming $50 million cap hit for next season could make him a candidate for a trade if Denver seeks greater flexibility or a different fit alongside Jokic.
Jokic himself, now 31, endured an uncharacteristically difficult series against Minnesota. He shot just 44.6 percent from the field and 19.4 percent from three-point range, as Rudy Gobert provided a stout defensive presence. Even with Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards missing two games and portions of another due to a knee injury, Denver could not advance.
While Jokic is expected to return motivated and at a high level next season, uncertainty surrounds the rest of the roster. Kroenke’s comments suggest the Nuggets will explore moves to refresh the supporting cast, aiming to build a more resilient and healthier group capable of contending deep into the playoffs.
For now, the face of the franchise remains untouchable. Everything else, however, is subject to change as Denver looks to move past a frustrating and injury-marred campaign.