Stop whatever you’re doing. Clear your calendar. Call your friends. Because if this trade happens, the NBA as we know it changes forever.
According to circulating reports, the Golden State Warriors are exploring a blockbuster package to bring Nikola Jokic to the Bay Area. The proposed deal would send Kristaps Porzingis, Moses Moody, three future first-round picks, two second-round picks, and cash considerations to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for the three-time MVP.
Let’s pause and let that sink in.
Stephen Curry. Nikola Jokic. Two of the greatest offensive engines in NBA history. On the same team. In Steve Kerr’s motion offense. With Draymond Green setting screens and playing defense.
That’s not just a championship contender. That’s a video game roster come to life.
But is this trade realistic? What would it mean for both franchises? And why would Denver ever consider moving the best player on the planet?
Let’s break down every angle of this hypothetical blockbuster.
The Reported Trade Package: What Golden State Would Send
Let’s start with the specifics of the proposed deal.
Golden State Warriors receive:
Nikola Jokic
Denver Nuggets receive:
Kristaps Porzingis
Moses Moody
3 future first-round picks
2 second-round picks
Cash considerations
On its face, this is a massive haul for Denver. Three first-round picks is a treasure chest. Moses Moody is a young, cost-controlled contributor with legitimate two-way potential . And Kristaps Porzingis, when healthy, is a unicorn who can stretch the floor and protect the rim.
But let’s be honest: you don’t trade Nikola Jokic for “when healthy” and “potential.” You trade him for a king’s ransom. And this package, while significant, might not be enough.
The Denver Nuggets’ Reality: Jokic Is (Probably) Not Going Anywhere
Here’s the cold, hard truth that any Jokic-to-Warriors trade scenario must confront: the Nuggets have zero interest in trading their franchise cornerstone.
Denver’s ownership has made this position crystal clear. Nuggets president Josh Kroenke recently stated that the only player on the roster who is completely off the table in trade discussions is Nikola Jokic . He explicitly said, “except trading Nikola, all possibilities will be considered” – but that exception is doing a lot of heavy lifting .
Jokic himself has repeatedly stated his desire to remain in Denver. After the Nuggets’ first-round playoff exit, he said, “I still want to be a Nugget forever” . That’s not the language of a player angling for a trade.
Moreover, Jokic is expected to sign a four-year extension worth around $278 million this summer . He’s committed to Denver. Denver is committed to him. The idea of him being traded is, at this point, pure speculation.
The Warriors’ Roster Construction: Why This Trade Is Complicated
Even if Denver were willing to listen, the Warriors would face significant hurdles in putting together a competitive package.
First, there’s the salary matching. Jokic is a max player. Porzingis, who is included in this reported deal, is set to earn $46.1 million in 2026-27 if his option is exercised . But beyond him, Golden State would need to add significant salary to make the math work.
Then there’s Moses Moody. He’s a valuable piece – a 23-year-old wing who averaged 12.2 points with a 41.1% three-point percentage during one stretch last season, and he’s on a bargain contract at $12.5 million in 2026-27 . But is he the centerpiece of a deal for a top-3 player? Probably not.
The Warriors also have limited draft capital to trade. While they could offer multiple first-round picks, those picks would likely be in the 20s – not nearly as valuable as lottery picks.
The On-Court Fit: Curry and Jokic Together
Now for the fun part: imagining what this duo would look like on the court.
Stephen Curry is the greatest shooter in NBA history. He warps defenses simply by existing. He draws double-teams 30 feet from the basket. He creates chaos.
Nikola Jokic is the greatest passing big man in NBA history. He sees plays develop two steps ahead of everyone else. He can find cutters, hit shooters in their pockets, and score efficiently from anywhere.
Together, they would be an offensive nightmare.
Imagine Jokic setting a screen for Curry. Defenses have to choose: double Curry and leave Jokic rolling to the rim? Switch and leave Curry with a big on the perimeter? Trap and leave everyone else in a 4-on-3?
There’s no right answer. That’s the point.
In Steve Kerr’s motion offense, which emphasizes passing, cutting, and spacing, Curry and Jokic would be the ultimate conductors. They would elevate everyone around them. Role players would get wide-open looks. The Warriors’ offense would go from good to historically great.
The Porzingis Factor: A Stopgap for Denver
For the Nuggets, acquiring Kristaps Porzingis would be a gamble – but a calculated one.
Porzingis is 30 years old. He’s a 7-foot-3 shooter who can stretch the floor and protect the rim. When healthy, he’s a legitimate All-Star caliber player.
But “when healthy” is the operative phrase. Porzingis has a long history of injuries, and his massive $46.1 million cap hit for 2026-27 would be a significant commitment .
Denver would be betting that Porzingis can stay on the court and serve as a bridge to their next era. He’s not Jokic. No one is. But he could keep the Nuggets competitive while they reload with the draft picks acquired in the deal.
The Moses Moody Asset: Why He’s Valuable
Moses Moody is often overlooked in Warriors trade discussions, but he shouldn’t be.
He’s 23 years old. He’s on a bargain contract – $12.5 million in 2026-27, which ranks 137th in the NBA . He’s a reliable two-way wing who can shoot, defend, and play within a system.
For a rebuilding team like Denver would be post-Jokic, Moody is exactly the kind of player you want: young, cost-controlled, and proven. He’s not a star, but he’s a rotation piece who can grow with the team.
The Draft Pick Haul: Denver’s Path to a Rebuild
The three first-round picks in this proposed deal would be the real prize for Denver.
The Warriors’ picks are unlikely to be lottery selections – as long as Curry and Jokic are on the roster, Golden State will be winning games. But late first-round picks are still valuable. They can be used to draft rotation players, or they can be packaged in future trades.
Two second-round picks add additional depth. In a salary-cap era where cheap contributors are gold, second-round picks have never been more valuable.
The Cash Considerations: A Minor Detail
The inclusion of “cash considerations” is standard in NBA trades. It’s usually a few million dollars to offset luxury tax payments or cover incidental costs. It’s not a major factor in a deal of this magnitude.
Why This Trade Probably Won’t Happen (But It’s Fun to Dream)
Let’s be realistic.
Nikola Jokic is not getting traded. The Nuggets have said as much. Jokic has said as much. He’s the best player in the world, and Denver will do everything in its power to keep him .
The Warriors, meanwhile, are focused on other moves. Recent reports suggest they’re exploring trades for players like Trey Murphy III, not chasing the impossible dream of acquiring Jokic .
But that doesn’t mean this scenario isn’t worth discussing. Because in the NBA, the impossible has a way of becoming possible. LeBron to Miami. Kawhi to Toronto. Durant to Golden State. The league has shown us that no player is truly untouchable.
And if there’s any franchise bold enough to pull off a trade of this magnitude, it’s the Warriors.
The reported trade that would send Nikola Jokic to the Golden State Warriors is the kind of blockbuster that would redefine the NBA landscape. Stephen Curry and Jokic together would be an offensive force unlike anything the league has ever seen. Defenses would be helpless. Championships would follow.
But it’s almost certainly not happening.
Denver has no interest in trading Jokic. Jokic has no interest in leaving Denver. The proposed package – while significant – probably isn’t enough to change either side’s mind.
Still, it’s fun to dream.
Imagine the pick-and-rolls. The no-look passes. The gravity-defying threes. The two smartest offensive players of their generation working together.
That’s the kind of basketball that makes you fall in love with the game.
So no, Jokic probably isn’t coming to the Warriors. But for a few minutes, while we consider the possibility, it’s okay to let yourself imagine.
And who knows? In the NBA, the impossible has a way of becoming reality.