Nuggets Will Consider All Options This Offseason Except Trading Nikola Jokic

Kroenke did not rule out paying the NBA's costly repeater tax, which applies when a team finishes in luxury tax territory after doing so in three of the previous four seasons. The Nuggets avoided the tax this season after trading Hunter Tyson to the Brooklyn Nets before the February deadline. Two consecutive years under the threshold would reset their repeater clock through 2029-30. Several league sources told The Denver Post they expect Denver to trade at least one starter this offseason, particularly if the team retains restricted free agent Peyton Watson. Pending contract extensions for Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun and Watson are projected to push the Nuggets into second-apron territory, which carries stricter roster-building restrictions. Kroenke identified Jokic, Jamal Murray and Gordon as the team's core, noting that Michael Porter Jr. was previously considered part of that group before being traded for Cam Johnson last summer. When I say running it back, you're talking about a lot of different variations, Kroenke said. Is it gonna be the exact same team? I don't think there's ever the exact same team. But are you talking about the same core group of players? Potentially. If neither Murray nor Gordon is moved, sources indicate at least one of Braun, Johnson or Watson is likely to be dealt for salary relief. Jokic is expected to sign a four-tear, 278 million contract extension with the Nuggets this offseason.