Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[Chicagojk]

Denver really is a mistery. After a bad season, they have already lost their back-up center (Val) and 6th-man (THJ). Seems like they are also losing a starter in Watson. They have only replaced the back-up center by signing Bagley, who is probably a bit of a step down from Valanciunas. 

Latest rumors are they are looking for a player and a FRP for Watson. Lets assume they get a deal with Clippers and they receive DJJ. That would put them some 14 mil over the second apron and they will have a real hard time replacing another starter like Cam on roughly 14 mil lower contract. And they still need to replace THJ shooting and scoring. 

All of their core outside of Jokic is overpaid. Their best move might be splitting either Gordon or Murray in a couple of useful role players that make less money combined. But overall, I think they are in a downward spiral they will have a huge trouble getting out of.

I wonder if they would have been better served doing what Dallas did with AD?  The return was blah but it opened up options by being flexible.    AD made more than Gordon though.    Could they have done what Dallas did?    That flexibility led to a first round pick, picking up Aldama and Sasser (and Tarek) and also opened up an opp to take on Rishacher.    Maybe none of these moves pan out for Dallas, but I wonder if Denver should have tried the same thing.