Denver Nuggets president Josh Kroenke has made the organization's position on its franchise cornerstone crystal clear. In the wake of the team's early postseason departure, Kroenke stated that while the front office will evaluate every possible avenue to improve the roster, trading star center Nikola Jokic is not one of them.
The declaration came after the Nuggets were eliminated in the first round of the NBA playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves, losing the series 4-2. This early exit has naturally prompted questions about the future direction of the team and potential roster shakeups.
"I think right now, all options are on the table," Kroenke explained, as reported by the UnderdogNBA account on the social media platform X. He was quick to add a significant caveat to that statement. "I'll note, except for trading Nikola Jokic, because my words got very interestingly twisted last summer. But yes, besides a Nikola trade—everything is absolutely on the table."
The president's comments suggest a comprehensive review of the team's composition is underway. Kroenke indicated that the range of possibilities includes maintaining the current core group and entering the next season with the same roster. "I also believe that the option of simply keeping this roster and going into the next season with it should also be considered," he added.
This firm stance on Jokic is hardly surprising. The Serbian big man is the reigning NBA Finals MVP and the cornerstone around whom the franchise built its 2023 championship. His unique combination of scoring, passing, and rebounding makes him one of the most valuable players in the league, and any trade involving him would be a monumental, franchise-altering move.
The early playoff exit against a talented Timberwolves squad has clearly served as a catalyst for internal evaluation. While the specifics of what "all options" entail remain to be seen, the message from the top is unambiguous: the Denver Nuggets are committed to building around Nikola Jokic as they seek to return to championship contention.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.