![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/poster-fallback.png\"\/)
<\/p>\nCould a three-time MVP really become a trade casualty? <\/p>\n
Meanwhile, there\u2019s been a bombshell revelation on the Warriors\u2019 biggest missed opportunity, while the NBA\u2019s top contenders are scrambling for veteran stars as free agency heats up.<\/p>\n
All of this and more in the latest edition of NBA Daily.<\/p>\n
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Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n NUGGETS COULD BE FORCED INTO NIGHTMARE TRADE SCENARIO<\/p>\n Could the Denver Nuggets one day be forced to consider the unthinkable?<\/p>\n Losing their best player is a prospect no team wants to face, but one that has resurfaced after Denver officially moved into the NBA\u2019s dreaded second apron by matching the Oklahoma City Thunder\u2019s two-year, $12 million offer sheet for Spencer Jones.<\/p>\n While there is no suggestion the Nuggets are looking to move three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, the league\u2019s harsh financial restrictions have already prompted owner Josh Kroenke to admit there are scenarios he \u201cnever wants to contemplate\u201d if the franchise finds itself in the wrong position.<\/p>\n The move has increased Denver\u2019s projected luxury tax bill from approximately $36 million to $62 million, placing the Nuggets above the second apron \u2013 the NBA\u2019s highest spending threshold that comes with severe roster-building restrictions.<\/p>\n Teams above the second apron lose access to the taxpayer mid-level exception, cannot include cash in trades and face significant limitations when completing deals. If a team remains above the threshold for three of five seasons, its first-round draft pick can also be pushed to the end of the first round.<\/p>\n The financial squeeze comes at a pivotal time for the Nuggets, with Jokic eligible to sign another lucrative contract extension that would further increase the club\u2019s payroll.<\/p>\n Kroenke acknowledged the risks of operating above the second apron last season, admitting injuries and the league\u2019s financial rules could eventually leave the organisation facing decisions it never wanted to consider.<\/p>\n Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) walks on the court during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo\/Lynne Sladky)Source: AP<\/p>\n \u201cI think that for us as an organisation, going into that second apron is not necessarily something that we\u2019re scared of,\u201d Kroenke said.<\/p>\n \u201cI think that there are rules around it that we needed to be very careful of with our injury history.<\/p>\n \u201cThe wrong person gets injured, and very quickly you\u2019re into a scenario where, that I never wanna have to contemplate, and that\u2019s trade number 15 (Jokic).<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re very conscious of that, pushing forward and providing the resources that we can when the moment arrives.\u201d<\/p>\n Denver\u2019s financial headache may not end there either.<\/p>\n Restricted free agent Peyton Watson is also attracting significant interest from around the league, with ESPN\u2019s Shams Charania<\/a> reporting the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers and Atlanta Hawks are all monitoring the 23-year-old.<\/p>\n Watson averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 41.9 per cent from the field last season, meaning another sizeable contract could further complicate the Nuggets\u2019 long-term salary cap outlook.<\/p>\n ‘In Australia we say that all the time!’ | 01:48<\/p>\n WARRIORS PASSED ON JAYLEN BROWN TRADE<\/p>\n The Golden State Warriors may have let their best chance at extending Stephen Curry\u2019s championship window slip away.<\/p>\n After falling short in their pursuit of LeBron James this offseason, ESPN\u2019s Shams Charania has revealed Golden State also walked away from a blockbuster opportunity to land All-NBA forward Jaylen Brown at last season\u2019s trade deadline, a decision that may have had far greater implications than first thought.<\/p>\n According to Charania<\/a>, the Boston Celtics demanded four first-round picks in exchange for Brown, but the Warriors refused to meet the asking price.<\/p>\n While surrendering that level of draft capital would have significantly impacted the franchise\u2019s future, Charania believes it may have dramatically strengthened Golden State\u2019s chances of landing James in free agency.<\/p>\n \u201cIf the Warriors had gone out and got that done, does that make LeBron James more viable?\u201d Charania said.<\/p>\n \u201cIf the Warriors had gone out and been willing to give up several draft picks to go get an Anthony Davis from Washington, does LeBron James follow suit?<\/p>\n \u201cMy understanding was if the Warriors were able to get Anthony Davis, they had as good of a chance, if not better than anyone, to get a LeBron James and I think you have to look at that in the calculus of everything.\u201d<\/p>\n A core featuring Curry, Brown, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green would have immediately become one of the NBA\u2019s most formidable contenders and potentially provided the type of championship environment James was searching for.<\/p>\n Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo\/Justine Willard)Source: AP<\/p>\n Instead, the Warriors opted to protect their future assets, with Brown ultimately being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in a deal involving Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round selections.<\/p>\n Golden State\u2019s inability to secure James, Davis or Brown has only intensified scrutiny on the franchise\u2019s direction as Curry enters another season determined to compete for championships.<\/p>\n Curry later admitted he was disappointed<\/a> the Warriors were unable to land James, saying he deliberately avoided getting carried away during the process despite the speculation surrounding a blockbuster move.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s why you don\u2019t envision anything until it happens,\u201d Curry said.<\/p>\n There is, however, expected to be some continuity, with Draymond Green tipped to sign a new deal worth around $28 million after opting out of his previous contract in the hope the Warriors could lure James to the Bay Area. <\/p>\n PHOENIX, ARIZONA – APRIL 17: Head coach Steve Kerr, Stephen Curry #30 and Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors hug during the final moments of an NBA play-in tournament game against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 17, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Warriors 111-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Christian Petersen\/Getty Images\/AFP (Photo by Christian Petersen \/ GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA \/ Getty Images via AFP)Source: AFP<\/p>\n While that pursuit ultimately fell short, Golden State is expected to keep one of its championship cornerstones alongside Curry.<\/p>\n Attention now turns to Curry, who is also eligible to sign a contract extension, with Charania reporting there is mutual interest between the two sides.<\/p>\n \u201cI think Stephen Curry understands where this organisation is, that they\u2019re at a crossroads. They\u2019ve gone after a bunch of stars over the years,\u201d Charania said.<\/p>\n With Curry set to earn an NBA-high $62.3 million this season, pressure is mounting on the Warriors to prove they can still build a title contender around one of the greatest players in league history before time runs out.<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/p>\n NBA LATEST: Likely LeBron role revealed<\/a><\/p>\n NBL LATEST: Phoenix land experienced NBA veteran in major back-court signing <\/a><\/p>\n NBA VETERANS IN DEMAND AFTER LEBRON\u2019S DECISION<\/p>\n With LeBron James\u2019 free agency decision finally made, the NBA\u2019s attention has quickly shifted to the next group of veterans who could shape the championship race.<\/p>\n One of those is six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan, who ESPN\u2019s Shams Charania reports is willing to sign for the veteran\u2019s minimum in order to chase an NBA championship.<\/p>\n The move instantly makes DeRozan one of the most attractive options remaining on the market, with contenders now able to pursue one of the league\u2019s premier scorers at a bargain price.<\/p>\n FILE – San Antonio Spurs forward DeMar DeRozan (10) in the first half of an NBA basketball game, April 9, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski, File)Source: AP<\/p>\n