Nuggets trade idea swaps Jamal Murray for $107 million ex-Knicks star guard

Nuggets trade idea swaps Jamal Murray for $107 million ex-Knicks star guard originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Denver Nuggets trade rumors are officially back in full swing, as the franchise is no longer in the mix for a championship in 2026.

Specifically, the Minnesota Timberwolves upset the Nuggets in the first-round of the playoffs as the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference with a depleted roster (Anthony Edwards missed several games due to a hyperextended left knee, and Donte DiVincenzo was ruled out for the season with a torn Achilles). Could the Nuggets’ recent playoff woes propel the organization to part ways with star guard Jamal Murray and search for what they deem a noticeable upgrade?

Yahoo Sports’ Tom Yaberstroh thinks so, citing that swapping Murray for a former New York Knicks star isn’t an outlandish idea. “This (trade sending Murray and Zeke Nnaji to the Toronto Raptors for Collin Murray-Boyles, RJ Barrett, and Jakob Poeltl) is a bet on CMB being the next Draymond Green, a defensive mastermind who could flourish next to Jokić’s other-wordly playmaking abilities,” Yaberstroh wrote Friday. “Trading for a 20-year-old next to (Nikola) Jokic would be a timeline risk, but the blossoming South Carolina product could instantly step in as Denver’s best defensive player and provide much-needed athleticism.

” “Balancing the defensive end of the floor has to be a priority while getting 80% of Murray’s offensive exploits with fellow Canadian guard (RJ) Barrett. ” Barrett played arguably the best basketball of his career in the 2026 postseason. The 25-year-old was a force to be reckoned with from an off the dribble scoring and perimeter shooting standpoint, averaging 24.