The Denver Nuggets’ first-round playoff exit has left the organization with a clear mandate this offseason: get meaningfully better around Nikola Jokic or risk wasting the prime of the league’s most dominant offensive force. While the Nuggets aren’t overflowing with tradable assets, they possess the one currency that still moves the needle in today’s NBA—future first-round draft picks. And according to Bleacher Report, Denver has zeroed in on a high-upside target who could help reshape their roster.
That target is Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr., the third overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Once viewed as a foundational piece for the Rockets’ rebuild, Smith Jr. is now being eyed by the Nuggets as their top trade priority this summer.
Fit, Shooting, and Ceiling
Smith Jr. enjoyed his most productive offensive season yet in Houston, showcasing improved scoring efficiency and perimeter range. For a Nuggets team that surrendered significant shooting when Michael Porter Jr. was moved, Smith’s ability to stretch the floor would be a welcome addition. His presence could open driving lanes for Jamal Murray and create better spacing for Jokic to operate in the half-court.
Rebounding numbers for Smith Jr. dipped this past season, but that concern is mitigated in Denver. With Jokic patrolling the paint and gobbling up boards at an historic rate, Smith would be freed to focus on the areas where his game continues to ascend—shooting, versatility, and defensive length.
The Cost of Doing Business
Acquiring Smith Jr. will not come cheap. Houston has no pressing reason to part with a young, ascending wing who still has significant upside. Sources and analysts suggest any deal would likely require a substantial package, potentially including Jamal Murray or Christian Braun, paired with multiple future first-round picks.
Is Smith Jr. better than Murray right now? Probably not. But Murray has battled to regain his pre-ACL explosiveness and consistency, while Smith Jr. has yet to reach his ceiling. For Denver, the appeal lies in injecting youth and two-way potential into a core that has begun to show signs of age and injury wear.
Houston, however, appears more inclined to pursue a blockbuster deal rather than accept a salary-dump scenario. Trading Smith for Murray straight up would represent a significant gamble for both sides, and many around the league believe Denver could potentially extract even stronger value if it chooses to move Murray this summer.
A Front Office Ready to Pivot
The Nuggets’ front office has signaled that nearly everyone outside of Jokic is available. That openness is necessary. Aaron Gordon’s postseason injuries the past two years have been glaring, exposing the lack of reliable secondary creators and defenders when he’s sidelined. Cameron Johnson was unable to fully bridge that gap during the latest playoff run.
Smith Jr. would represent a bet on talent and trajectory rather than proven veteran production. At the same time, his salary and the assets required to land him mean Denver must be precise. A misstep could leave the roster unbalanced or future draft capital depleted at exactly the wrong moment.
Title Window Still Open
Despite the early exit, the Nuggets remain a dangerous team with the best player on the floor on any given night. The West is wide open for those willing to make bold moves. By targeting a former top-three pick like Jabari Smith Jr., Denver is showing it intends to reload rather than rebuild—leveraging its championship pedigree and Jokic’s continued excellence to make another deep run.
The summer is still young, and negotiations will be complex. But if the Nuggets can find a way to bring Smith Jr. to Ball Arena without gutting their core identity, they could very well drop a hammer on the Western Conference next season. The buried treasure may be harder to unearth than expected—but for a franchise that knows how to win, the pursuit is worth the price.