The Denver Nuggets are the reigning NBA champions, with Nikola Jokic solidifying his status as one of the greatest players on the planet. But what if their journey to glory had taken a radically different path? In a stunning revelation, the Nuggets were on the verge of two monumental trades—one for Luka Doncic, the generational superstar, and another for defensive maestro Jrue Holiday. Either move could have drastically reshaped the NBA landscape.
“The Luka Doncic What-If: A Missed Shot at Perfection”
Back in 2018, the Nuggets had their eyes set on Luka Doncic, who was a highly touted prospect entering the NBA Draft. Armed with the 14th overall pick, Denver made a strong push to move up the draft board to snag Doncic, a move that would have created a dream pairing with Jokic. The Nuggets reportedly offered a package to the Sacramento Kings, who held the No. 2 pick, but the deal fell through.
Imagine the possibilities: two basketball savants—Jokic and Doncic—sharing the court. Both players possess elite playmaking and the ability to dominate games with their unique skill sets. The Nuggets’ inability to seal the deal remains one of the greatest “what-ifs” in NBA history.
Instead, Denver selected Michael Porter Jr. at No. 14. While Porter has battled injuries, his contributions were instrumental in the Nuggets’ 2023 championship run, proving that even missed opportunities can lead to success.
“The Jrue Holiday Trade That Wasn’t”
Fast forward to 2020, when Denver made another bold attempt to upgrade its roster. The target? Jrue Holiday, one of the league’s most elite two-way guards. Holiday’s defense and ability to control the game as a secondary playmaker would have complemented Jokic’s skill set perfectly.
Former Denver Post writer Mike Singer revealed that the Nuggets were just 90 minutes away from finalizing a trade for Holiday. But time ran out, and Holiday was instead traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, where he became a pivotal piece in their 2021 championship victory.
The near-miss left the Nuggets scrambling, but it wasn’t all bad. The following year, Denver acquired Aaron Gordon, whose versatility and interior dominance on both ends of the floor played a critical role in their eventual title-winning season.
“Jokic’s Evolution: The Best Backup Plan”
While the Nuggets missed out on Doncic and Holiday, the trades that never were forced Denver to build around Jokic’s unique skill set. Rather than leaning on a high-profile co-star, the team embraced Jokic’s extraordinary playmaking, allowing him to orchestrate the offense like a maestro. The result? Back-to-back MVP awards in 2021 and 2022, and a third in 2023.
Jokic’s evolution into a generational talent transformed the Nuggets into a championship-caliber team. His ability to elevate teammates, combined with shrewd roster moves, such as drafting Jamal Murray and acquiring Gordon, ensured Denver’s steady rise to the NBA’s pinnacle.
“A Future Built on What Could Have Been”
The Nuggets’ championship run in 2023 is a testament to resilience, but the stories of Doncic and Holiday linger as tantalizing glimpses of alternate realities. Would Doncic and Jokic have dominated together? Could Holiday’s defensive prowess have accelerated their timeline to a title? We’ll never know.
What’s clear is that Denver’s patience and strategic moves ultimately paid off. By embracing Jokic’s once-in-a-lifetime talent and building a roster to complement his strengths, the Nuggets carved their own path to glory—proving that sometimes, the moves you don’t make define you as much as the ones you do.
