Crossroads in Denver: Whether to trade Jokic

The recent rumors that the Nuggets may consider trading this core superstar are not groundless, but the team's profound choice to face the cruel reality and future picture after its glorious peak. The dilemma of the Nuggets is rooted in the cyclical law that a champion team cannot escape and the rise of an unstoppable new force. For two consecutive seasons, the team failed in the second round of the playoffs - first fell under the Timberwolves' youthful impact, and then completely submerged by the Thunder's youth storm. This is not only a simple defeat, but also a signal light for the changes of the times. The Thunder's victory was like a heavy hammer, shattering the Nuggets' management's original confidence.

In contrast, the Nuggets themselves, the hidden dangers under the championship halo are being exposed at an accelerated pace. The departure of meritorious coach Mike Malone was the beginning of turmoil. Subsequently, the key players in the championship puzzle, such as Bruce Brown, Kentavius ​​Caldwell-Pope, and Jeff Green, left the team one after another, and the team's depth and chemistry were severely weakened. Jamal Murray was plagued by injuries and his condition was fluctuating, and he was unable to regain his courage. Aaron Gordon's athletic ability could also decline; Michael Porter, the once terrifying "anti-aircraft gun", seemed to have been overshadowed by his magical feel. And the most core worry is undoubtedly Jokic himself.

Even if he is as great as he is, he cannot fight against the laws of time. At the age of thirty, for a center forward who needs to fight in the inside and bear huge offensive and defensive load, the peak window of physical strength and condition is quietly narrowing. His dominance is still top-notch, but the price required to maintain this dominance and the expected risks in the coming years have become a cold reality that management must calmly evaluate.

Therefore, the so-called intention to "trade Jokic" is by no means a crazy move that the management has been keen on for a moment, but an extremely rational and even tragic consideration at the intersection. It may originate from two directions: First, based on the judgment that the team's competitiveness window is about to close, the management hopes to seize the remaining huge transaction value of Jokic in exchange for young talents and future assets that can accelerate the reconstruction process, and avoid falling into a long mediocre period; Second, Jokic himself, in the context of witnessing the decline in the team's strength and the strong rise of young opponents, his heart's desire for higher challenges or more adaptable lineups has quietly emerged, and he actively seeks signals of change.