The Denver Nuggets have not looked like themselves this season. Although Nikola Jokić once again looks like the MVP front-runner, Denver has started the season 12-10 and is currently in seventh place in the Western Conference standings.

Over the past two offseasons, Denver has lost two key members of its 2022-23 championship squad in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Bruce Brown. The Nuggets have sorely missed both defensive performances as they rank last in the NBA with 116.8 points allowed per game.

While their defense struggled, Denver’s offense was top notch thanks to Jokić, who averaged 32.2 points per game. The Nuggets score 118.7 points per game, but their poor defensive play has cost them at times this season.

With the Western Conference stacked from top to bottom, the Nuggets will need better performance from their surrounding lineup, especially on defense. If this doesn’t happen by the trade deadline, they could be buyers.

Denver could shock the NBA world by completing a blockbuster deal with the Miami Heat for Jimmy Butler. Butler is under contract through 2025-26 but could opt out and enter free agency after this season. With the possibility of Miami losing him for free in the offseason, they could look to sign him this season.

It would be challenging for the Nuggets to complete a trade for Butler due to the salary implications on both sides, but it is doable. They could send a package to Miami that includes Michael Porter Jr., Zeke Nnaji, Julian Strawther, Jalen Pickett and draft picks for Butler and Pelle Larson.

This trade works well for both sides as the Heat would gain a young star and several role players in Porter Jr. to remain competitive in the East. For Denver, adding an experienced superstar like Butler could significantly improve the roster.

Even at 35 years old, Butler is still a great defender and scorer. So far this season he is averaging 19 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. While those numbers are down from last season, Butler seems to keep increasing them as the playoffs get closer.

With a lineup that includes Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Butler, Aaron Gordon and Jokić, the Nuggets would become a real threat to the teams at the top of the West looking to win their second championship in three seasons.

More NBA: The Lakers could improve their roster in exchange for the Bulls’ $140 million duo