It doesn’t seem that long ago when the Bucks were title contenders with Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the charge, but risky trades and untimely injuries ultimately lost the Greek Freak’s trust. In Denver, a similar situation could now be brewing as superstar Nikola Jokic watches his team lose more talent this summer while retaining the same expensive and injury-prone core.
Like Giannis towards the end of his time in Milwaukee, Jokic also chose not to sign an extension this offseason despite being eligible. That lack of commitment, along with the Bucks’ clear defense roster flaws, led to Giannis being traded this offseason and the beginning of a new Bucks era. If the Nuggets don’t find ways to turn around their franchise trajectory, they could find themselves in the same position soon.
Denver could have a Jokic problem brewingÂ
Throughout his tenure as a perennial MVP candidate, Jokic has maintained his long-term loyalty to the Nuggets. However, recent playoff results have left a lot to be desired without much flexibility to improve the team. Last season, they suffered an upset defeat in the first round to a Timberwolves team with a hobbled Anthony Edwards.
Unfortunately for the Nuggets, they’ve placed themselves into a financial predicament with the second apron. They were forced to trade rising star Peyton Watson this offseason because they couldn’t afford to pay him on his next contract. That leaves them without any noteworthy young talent and a slew of older players on immovable contracts - a familiar recipe for Bucks fans.
At least the Nuggets have another All-Star next to Jokic in Jamal Murray, but Murray has routinely seen a playoff drop in recent seasons. That problem has been especially prevalent against the Wolves, who the Nuggets frequently see in the postseason. If Denver wants to prepare for another series with Minnesota next year, they may need to make a desperate midseason trade to get more talent in the door.
But their options in the trade market will be limited, both by the availability of needle-moving targets and their own financial restrictions. Based on how the West looks right now, the Nuggets could be headed for yet another first- or second-round exit next year. That might be enough to have Jokic reconsidering his future and weighing the option of a trade request.
The Nuggets can learn from the Bucks in most controversial way
If the situation gets bad enough for Jokic to seriously consider a trade request, the Nuggets would probably be best served trading him early before the market has soured on him. The Bucks saw their own return package for Giannis dwindle as their back-and-forth with him dragged on and some interested teams lost interest.
Ironically, Denver's best learning from Giannis' situation could be how to best trade a superstar rather than how to keep him. If their team heads down the same route as the Bucks in the past few years, they should have a clear idea of what to do with Nikola Jokic.
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