N※N

NBA writer encourages Nuggets to move for $45 million point guard | Sporting News

  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. ve-for-45-million-point-guard-sporting-news.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, September 19th 2025 at 20:11 GMT by Sporting News
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

Denver Nuggets Should Move a $45 Million Point Guard, Says NBA Writer

In a recently published piece for Sporting News, NBA analyst David McKenna argues that the Denver Nuggets should consider trading for a high‑profile point guard who carries a $45 million salary cap hit. The writer’s call to action is rooted in a combination of the Nuggets’ current roster construction, salary‑cap flexibility and a comparative lack of a ball‑handling leader in the backcourt.

The Nugget’s Roster Gaps

McKenna begins by acknowledging that the Nuggets’ core—Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray—has consistently been one of the most potent line‑ups in the NBA. Still, he points out that the team’s “backcourt depth is limited and the group lacks a reliable, high‑volume playmaker.” While Murray has been a capable floor general, his 2025 contract will become a $12 million‑plus hit, and he has shown signs of declining offensive production during stretches when the team has to play from a bench‑first rotation.

McKenna highlights the Nuggets’ lack of a “ball‑handling, floor‑spreading guard” in the same vein as the “point‑guard playmakers” that dominate the Western Conference—players such as Damian Lillard, Russell Westbrook and James Harden. He argues that a guard who can orchestrate offense at a high‑volume level would provide the “necessary spark” that could turn a good Nuggets squad into a championship‑contender.

Why a $45 Million Deal?

The writer explains that the Nuggets have the luxury to absorb a large contract because of the team’s recent playoff success and their salary‑cap space. A $45 million‑per‑year salary would fit within Denver’s budget once they have moved a piece of their front‑court or future picks. McKenna specifically calls attention to Kyrie Irving—who is on a five‑year, $40 million deal, plus a potential $5 million extension that would bring his annual cap hit to roughly $45 million. He suggests that if Irving’s trade were to materialize, Denver would have a “ball‑handling, three‑point‑shooting guard” who can complement Jokić’s playmaking and create spacing for the rest of the squad.

Other possible targets that would fit a $45 million hit are John Wall (currently $38 million, with a projected $5 million extension) and Trae Young (currently $37 million, again with a projected extension). McKenna argues that any of these players could offer the Nuggets a “dual‑role backcourt” that would free up Jokić to focus on his own scoring and rebounding.

Trade Options

The piece explores a few plausible trade scenarios. One route could involve Denver giving up a mix of Michael Porter Jr., Jalen Green and a future first‑round pick to a team like the Atlanta Hawks or the Detroit Pistons in exchange for a guard on a $45 million contract. The writer also suggests that Denver could trade a 2025 first‑round pick plus a veteran guard such as Bram Albright (who is on a one‑year, $1.4 million contract) for an older point guard who would provide leadership and floor spacing.

McKenna points out that the Nuggets will need to balance the trade’s “salary‑matching” constraints carefully. He emphasizes that the current cap landscape requires a “fair‑market value” deal: the Nuggets will need to offer a comparable financial package to a team looking to add a high‑salary point guard. This could involve using the 2024 trade‑exception or a “sign‑and‑trade” package.

The Bigger Picture

Beyond the financials, McKenna stresses the broader strategic implication: “The Nuggets have a winning culture. They have the talent, the coaching, the front‑office vision. Adding a high‑profile point guard is the final piece of the puzzle that can push the team over the top of the NBA.” The writer compares the potential move to similar trades in the league—such as the Lakers’ acquisition of Russell Westbrook in 2019—which helped the Lakers push to a championship in 2020.

He also references the 2023 NBA Draft and the Nuggets’ performance in the early rounds of that draft, noting that they have been relatively conservative. A “big‑name guard” could help the Nuggets maintain a competitive edge without relying solely on developing rookie talent.

Bottom Line

David McKenna’s Sporting News article delivers a comprehensive, data‑driven case for the Denver Nuggets to pursue a $45 million point guard. He underscores the need for a “dynamic playmaker,” outlines realistic trade pathways, and frames the move as both a tactical and cultural upgrade for a team that has already proven it can contend at the highest level. Whether the Nuggets will heed McKenna’s call remains to be seen, but the article undoubtedly adds a compelling voice to the ongoing discussion about Denver’s future roster moves.