That means their 2026, 2028 and 2030 firsts are currently barred from trades. Denver’s 2031 first remains eligible, but even that is not a particularly valuable pick because it’s contingent on the 2025, 2027 and 2029 top-five protected picks conveying on schedule.

The Nuggets have an extremely limited collection of tradable draft picks left and are operating over the first tax apron, further complicating their efforts to upgrade the roster.

As the Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr. is well aware, the trade deadline is part of the business in the NBA. “As long as I’m here, I’m going to be here and I’m going to be happy, and I’m going to play hard and try to be available and try to help win games,