The Denver Nuggets are expected to be a major threat in the Western Conference this season after they elected to make multiple changes to their roster after back-to-back second-round playoff exits.
Denver began their offseason by trading Michael Porter Jr. to the Brooklyn Nets for Cameron Johnson, not only landing them a 3-point sharpshooting forward but also freeing up cap space to bolster their depth.
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Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) and guard Jamal Murray (27)© Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
With the extra cap space, the Nuggets signed both Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. in free agency and they also acquired Jonas Valanciunas from the Sacramento Kings for Dario Saric.
By making these moves, the Nuggets were able to upgrade their rotation around their core of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon as they try to make a run at another championship this season.
Nuggets Could Target Suns’ Royce O’Neale
While the Nuggets are hoping to make another title run this season, they could also look to make more upgrades to their roster ahead of the trade deadline.
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Phoenix Suns forward Royce O’Neale (00)Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
One player they could target is Phoenix Suns forward Royce O’Neale as the veteran forward continues to be in trade rumors as the Suns continue to retool their roster after making multiple changes this offseason.
Mock Trade Lands Nuggets Royce O’Neale From Suns
In a potential trade, the Nuggets could send Zeke Nnaji, Jalen Pickett and draft capital to the Suns in exchange for O’Neale.
Denver Nuggets guard Jalen Pickett (24)© Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
While Denver will likely not want to include draft capital in this deal, it is likely that they will have to in order for the Suns to take on Nnaji’s contract.
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Despite this, swapping Nnaji and Pickett for O’Neale would be a massive boost to the Nuggets’ scoring and defense in their second unit.
Last season, the 32-year-ol forward averaged 9.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 0.9 steals per game while shooting 42.3% from the field and 40.6% from three.
Phoenix Suns forward Royce O’Neale (00)Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
O’Neale could become a key player off the bench for the Nuggets due to his 3-and-D capabilities as he would join Hardaway Jr., Brown, Valanciunas and Peyton Watson in the second unit, further upgrading Denver’s bench after their struggles last season.
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By making this trade, Denver would add another key veteran to their bench to fill another noticeable hole in their rotation which could propel them to another deep playoff run and possibly another championship with Jokic leading the way.
Despite this, they may also look elsewhere to upgrade their roster this season as they try to chase another championship this season.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Oct 7, 2025, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.