The Denver Nuggets still need to take care of business in the 2023 Finals. That doesn’t mean they can’t plan for the future at the same time. Their players are immersed in winning the title. On the other hand, the front office can focus on the future. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Nuggets have been traded to the Thunder for a package of future draft picks.
The Denver front office seems to see real potential in this roster. You would think the finals favorite would be satisfied for now. Not nuggets. They are trying to lengthen the championship window by adding draft picks to use down the line.
The NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement will make it more difficult for luxury tax teams to sign veteran players. There will be an emphasis on crafting and developing talent through the system. Denver is preparing for that to happen.
Trade the NBA Finals: The Denver Nuggets have the least favored Oklahoma City first-round pick in 2024, the 37th pick in the 2023 draft and a 2024 second-round pick for the 2029 protected first-round pick, sources tell ESPN.
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 9, 2023
The Denver Nuggets traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder for a host of future draft picks
In this deal, Denver sends the Thunder a protected 2029 first-round pick. The Nuggets will have a 2024 first- and second-round pick and 2023 second-round pick. This has been Thunder’s strategy for a few seasons now. They now have a 2029 first-round draft pick at their disposal.
The Nuggets now have the 37th and 40th picks in the 2023 NBA Draft. This front office gives the Nuggets a chance to sign some talent to lower-cost contracts. Denver would then develop their players through the system and make them all stars.
That’s what the Nuggets managed to do with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. Jokic was drafted in 2014 by Denver and Morey was drafted in 2016. Being able to develop young talent through your organization makes winning a championship that much better. The Nuggets roster is mostly players that they have drafted and developed over the years.
Additionally, the Thunder owns the Nuggets’ 2027 first-round pick from JaMychal Green’s trade last season. Moving forward, OKC still has a large amount of draft picks at its disposal for the future. They own a whopping 15 first-round picks through the 2029 NBA Draft.