Nuggets Could Make A “Panic Trade” This Summer, Says Nick Wright

The Denver Nuggets underwent a big change on Tuesday morning when they parted ways with longtime head coach Michael Malone. But that might not be the only big move that they make in 2025, as one NBA analyst has warned that the team could make a “panic trade” during the upcoming off-season.

Could The Nuggets Make A “Panic Trade” This Off-Season?

The shock of the head coaching firing has led many to believe that there are deep-rooted problems in Denver. Malone was the winningest coach in franchise history and is less than two years removed from leading the team to their first ever NBA championship, and the team decided to part ways with him with just three games left in the regular season.

The team has been struggling as of late, having lost 11 of their 24 games since the All-Star break, and have seen a sharp fall-off in their defensive efficiency. They’ll likely finish anywhere between 4th and 7th place in the Western Conference, and will head into the postseason with an interim head coach in place.

.@getnickwright thinks a panic trade is looming for the Nuggets after firing their head coach 👀

“It feels to me like they are trying to, in different order, repeat the steps of Milwaukee.” pic.twitter.com/i472lFEkQV

— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) April 8, 2025

It might be the last time that we see the current Nuggets core together as one. FS1’s Nick Wright was discussing Denver’s situation on First Things First on Tuesday afternoon, and suggested that the team could be prone to making a trade this off-season. In order to salvage the rest of Nikola Jokic’s prime, Wright said that it feels like the team could take a swing on a roster-altering deal.

He went on to name Michael Porter Jr. as the likely candidate to be dealt, along with draft picks, for a distressed asset via panic trade.

Michael Porter Jr. Becomes A Candidate

Porter Jr. is in his 7th NBA season and is a legit contributor at 18 points and 7 rebounds per game. But the production doesn’t exactly match the cost, as he is owed nearly $36 million annually, putting him above players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jayson Tatum, and Donovan Mitchell. It will be difficult to move his contract, which is where the draft picks would come in.

Wright also suggested that they may be following the formula that the Milwaukee Bucks have been utilizing. After winning a championship in 2021, the Bucks have not only fired the head coach that won them the ring, but they also made a big trade by shipping off Jrue Holiday in order to bring in Damian Lillard. The results have been mediocre at best.

The Nuggets will take on the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, and will wrap up the regular season against the Grizzlies and Rockets this weekend.