The Denver Nuggets are stuck in mediocrity and could use a roster shakeup to turn the franchise back into a title contender.

There’s nothing wrong with Nikola Jokić (he’s on track to be a fourth MVP), but the core around Jokić has become tiring in Denver.

Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray aren’t exactly the players the Nuggets need to get back to the NBA Finals. Porter Jr. is starting to get his mojo back after a terrible end to last season, but Murray’s shooting numbers have dropped since the start of the 2024-25 season and he simply looks less explosive.

Do the Nuggets have the guts to really shake things up and move Murray? He’s considered a cornerstone of the franchise and has already won a ring as a Nugget, but that doesn’t change the fact that Denver could benefit from trading Murray for another star guard.

It just so happens that the Sacramento Kings are going nowhere at 9-12 and could potentially be great partners in a big trade.

A Murray-De’Aaron Fox trade works financially and could benefit both organizations.

While Murray is under contract through 2029, trading him to Fox would actually save Sacramento money in the long run, as the Kings would have to pay Fox a higher deal than Murray after next season if they choose to keep him.

From Denver’s perspective, in Fox they would be getting an explosive guard who could come in and be a more electric version of what Murray has been of late. Fox could be the spark Denver needs to look like a scary contender again.

It’s an interesting move to consider, and both players are around the same age (Murray turns 28 in February and Fox turns 27 later in December).

If the Nuggets are concerned about being tied to Murray for the next five years, now is the time to move him.

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