As of Tuesday night, Nikola Jokić is on pace to become just the third player in NBA history to average a triple-double in a season. It would go down as one of the best individual seasons in NBA history and a season that would surely catapult Jokić into the realm of the all-time greats to have played the game. But if his Denver Nuggets want to remain title contenders, the three-time MVP’s size still isn’t enough.

With the NBA trade window opening last weekend and the trade deadline less than two months away, the Nuggets are courting the league for a player who can provide significant help offensively, league sources report The athlete.

As a result, the Nuggets have either expressed interest in or had preliminary trade discussions about the following players: Chicago’s Zach Lavine, Washington’s Jordan Poole, Utah’s Jordan Clarkson, Atlanta’s De’Andre Hunter, Brooklyn’s Cam Johnson and Washington’s Jonas Valančiūnas.

According to league sources, much of the focus in recent discussions has been on LaVine as the Nuggets are interested in the 29-year-old, who is averaging 21.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists this season. LaVine, a two-time All-Star, is owed $43 million this season, $45.9 million next season and has a player option worth $48.9 million for the 2026-27 season.

This isn’t the first time the Nuggets have shown a desire to move up with a winger. As The athlete reported at the end of JuneDenver discussed the prospect of signing Paul George in a trade that likely would have included moving Michael Porter Jr. and Zeke Nnaji to the LA Clippers (and moving George to the Nuggets via an extend-and-trade deal). . That deal didn’t happen, but it was as strong a sign as any that Denver had recognized this need some time ago.

Any major trade would likely involve Porter, according to league sources. Porter has long been one of the best shooters in the league. This season he has developed into an all-around scorer capable of impacting the offense at all three levels. He has also become stronger and more effective defensively than in the past.

Nnaji is also available, league sources say. Any significant deal the Nuggets would make might also need to include a pick swap as sweetener.

According to league sources, the Nuggets highly value Porter and his work spacing out the Denver offense. Porter, who is making $35.8 million this season and is under contract through the 2026-27 season (partially guaranteed this season), is having a career year (18.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2, 8 assists per game).

According to league sources, the Nuggets even had extension discussions with Porter earlier in the season, a strong sign that they are still confident about his long-term future. The 26-year-old Porter is at the peak of his career while improving as an overall player. He has struggled with injury issues in the past, but has remained relatively healthy over the past few seasons, playing in 81 games last season.

With Jokić averaging 31 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists per game – numbers never achieved in league history – the need to lighten some of Jokić’s offensive load is obvious. He is averaging a career-high in field goal attempts (21.1), good for fourth in the league and well above his second-highest total (18.0 in the 2020-21 season). His minutes have also increased this season, with Jokić averaging 37.3 (also second in the league; his second-highest was 34.6 in the 2020/21 season). The Nuggets’ offense currently ranks seventh in the league (up from fifth last season and fourth the season before when they won the title).

More importantly, the Nuggets are looking for help in the form of someone who can provide offense with the ball in his hands. Many of Denver’s problems stem from the fact that Jokić and Jamal Murray are the only players on the roster who are consistently capable of creating their own shots. According to league sources, the Nuggets would like to add another player capable of doing so at a high level.

That’s why Denver cast a wide net. But the Nuggets’ collective lack of resources as a starting frontcourt team makes it harder to get a deal done with some teams. For example, Clarkson’s ability to score off the bench and his playoff experience would be a great fit for the Nuggets. A Clarkson deal likely wouldn’t require Denver to bring in Porter. But it would likely require the Nuggets to introduce an unprotected first-round pick swap, which Denver may be reluctant to include.

The last two years have been a mixed bag for Denver to extend its championship window with Jokić as its centerpiece. This season Jokić was by far the best player in the world. But as of Tuesday, the Nuggets are 14-10 overall in fifth place in the Western Conference, and teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies have moved away from the top of the standings.

The Nuggets want to ensure they are more survivable for the rigors of the regular season and the postseason, where isolation points become increasingly important.

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(Photo by Zach LaVine and Nikola Jokić: Dustin Bradford / Getty Images)