Nikola Jokic trade fears, Warriors pass on Jaylen Brown, DeMar DeRozan, Klay Thompson, Russell Westbrook latest

Could a three-time MVP really become a trade casualty?

Meanwhile, there’s been a bombshell revelation on the Warriors’ biggest missed opportunity, while the NBA’s top contenders are scrambling for veteran stars as free agency heats up.

All of this and more in the latest edition of NBA Daily.

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NUGGETS COULD BE FORCED INTO NIGHTMARE TRADE SCENARIO

Could the Denver Nuggets one day be forced to consider the unthinkable?

Losing their best player is a prospect no team wants to face, but one that has resurfaced after Denver officially moved into the NBA’s dreaded second apron by matching the Oklahoma City Thunder’s two-year, $12 million offer sheet for Spencer Jones.

While there is no suggestion the Nuggets are looking to move three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, the league’s harsh financial restrictions have already prompted owner Josh Kroenke to admit there are scenarios he “never wants to contemplate” if the franchise finds itself in the wrong position.

The move has increased Denver’s projected luxury tax bill from approximately $36 million to $62 million, placing the Nuggets above the second apron – the NBA’s highest spending threshold that comes with severe roster-building restrictions.

Teams above the second apron lose access to the taxpayer mid-level exception, cannot include cash in trades and face significant limitations when completing deals. If a team remains above the threshold for three of five seasons, its first-round draft pick can also be pushed to the end of the first round.

The financial squeeze comes at a pivotal time for the Nuggets, with Jokic eligible to sign another lucrative contract extension that would further increase the club’s payroll.

Kroenke acknowledged the risks of operating above the second apron last season, admitting injuries and the league’s financial rules could eventually leave the organisation facing decisions it never wanted to consider.

“I think that for us as an organisation, going into that second apron is not necessarily something that we’re scared of,” Kroenke said.

“I think that there are rules around it that we needed to be very careful of with our injury history.

“The wrong person gets injured, and very quickly you’re into a scenario where, that I never wanna have to contemplate, and that’s trade number 15 (Jokic).

“We’re very conscious of that, pushing forward and providing the resources that we can when the moment arrives.”

Denver’s financial headache may not end there either.

Restricted free agent Peyton Watson is also attracting significant interest from around the league, with ESPN’s Shams Charania reporting the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers and Atlanta Hawks are all monitoring the 23-year-old.

Watson averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 41.9 per cent from the field last season, meaning another sizeable contract could further complicate the Nuggets’ long-term salary cap outlook.

WARRIORS PASSED ON JAYLEN BROWN TRADE

The Golden State Warriors may have let their best chance at extending Stephen Curry’s championship window slip away.

After falling short in their pursuit of LeBron James this offseason, ESPN’s Shams Charania has revealed Golden State also walked away from a blockbuster opportunity to land All-NBA forward Jaylen Brown at last season’s trade deadline, a decision that may have had far greater implications than first thought.

According to Charania, the Boston Celtics demanded four first-round picks in exchange for Brown, but the Warriors refused to meet the asking price.

While surrendering that level of draft capital would have significantly impacted the franchise’s future, Charania believes it may have dramatically strengthened Golden State’s chances of landing James in free agency.

“If the Warriors had gone out and got that done, does that make LeBron James more viable?” Charania said.

“If the Warriors had gone out and been willing to give up several draft picks to go get an Anthony Davis from Washington, does LeBron James follow suit?

“My understanding was if the Warriors were able to get Anthony Davis, they had as good of a chance, if not better than anyone, to get a LeBron James and I think you have to look at that in the calculus of everything.”

A core featuring Curry, Brown, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green would have immediately become one of the NBA’s most formidable contenders and potentially provided the type of championship environment James was searching for.

Instead, the Warriors opted to protect their future assets, with Brown ultimately being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in a deal involving Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round selections.

Golden State’s inability to secure James, Davis or Brown has only intensified scrutiny on the franchise’s direction as Curry enters another season determined to compete for championships.

Curry later admitted he was disappointed the Warriors were unable to land James, saying he deliberately avoided getting carried away during the process despite the speculation surrounding a blockbuster move.

“That’s why you don’t envision anything until it happens,” Curry said.

There is, however, expected to be some continuity, with Draymond Green tipped to sign a new deal worth around $28 million after opting out of his previous contract in the hope the Warriors could lure James to the Bay Area.

While that pursuit ultimately fell short, Golden State is expected to keep one of its championship cornerstones alongside Curry.

Attention now turns to Curry, who is also eligible to sign a contract extension, with Charania reporting there is mutual interest between the two sides.

“I think Stephen Curry understands where this organisation is, that they’re at a crossroads. They’ve gone after a bunch of stars over the years,” Charania said.

With Curry set to earn an NBA-high $62.3 million this season, pressure is mounting on the Warriors to prove they can still build a title contender around one of the greatest players in league history before time runs out.

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NBA VETERANS IN DEMAND AFTER LEBRON’S DECISION

With LeBron James’ free agency decision finally made, the NBA’s attention has quickly shifted to the next group of veterans who could shape the championship race.

One of those is six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan, who ESPN’s Shams Charania reports is willing to sign for the veteran’s minimum in order to chase an NBA championship.

The move instantly makes DeRozan one of the most attractive options remaining on the market, with contenders now able to pursue one of the league’s premier scorers at a bargain price.

According to Charania, the Miami Heat, Denver Nuggets and Cleveland Cavaliers are among the teams expressing interest.

“I’m told Miami, Denver and Cleveland are among the teams interested in DeMar DeRozan,” Charania said.

But DeRozan isn’t the only decorated veteran generating attention.

Charania also revealed Klay Thompson has emerged as another player attracting widespread interest despite remaining under contract, with multiple contenders monitoring whether he could become available via trade or buyout.

“There is a player out west that is overlapping with DeRozan as far as interest from teams.

“That is Klay Thompson.

“I’m told the Heat are among several championship-contending teams that are monitoring Thompson’s situation, potentially via trade or buyout.”

Fresh off acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Miami Heat have now turned their attention to surrounding the two-time MVP with elite perimeter shooting.

Charania said the Heat’s priorities shifted after James elected to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers.

“They want shooting, that is the priority,” Charania said.

“I know what Pat Riley said, ‘I want playmaking.’ I think that was a special case to LeBron James.

“But now they’re really looking for shooting and Klay Thompson is at the top of their list.”

With the biggest name in free agency now off the board, the race for DeRozan and Thompson is expected to intensify, with contenders looking to add proven veterans capable of making an immediate impact in the pursuit of an NBA title.

FORMER MVP GAINING NO TRACTION IN FREE AGENCY

One of the NBA’s most decorated players remains without a team.

Former MVP Russell Westbrook is still searching for his next opportunity in free agency, with the 37-year-old yet to generate significant traction despite averaging 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game for the Sacramento Kings last season.

While Westbrook’s on-court production suggests he can still contribute, concerns about his fit within a contender appear to be impacting his market.

According to Yahoo Sports, a source with relationships across the league claimed Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was advised against pursuing the nine-time All-Star.

“An NBA source who has relationships with Erik Spoelstra and other coaches said that a coach that Spoelstra trusts told him that he advised the Heat not to sign Westbrook, asserting that he’s difficult to coach.”

It’s a remarkable position for one of the most explosive guards in NBA history.

Westbrook became just the second player after Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double for an entire season and captured the league’s MVP award in 2017, but seven years and several team changes later, his future has become increasingly uncertain.

As training camp edges closer, Westbrook remains one of the biggest names still available on the market.

If NBA interest fails to materialise, the former MVP could eventually be forced to consider either retirement or opportunities overseas, though there has been no indication that decision is imminent.