Two days after the Nuggets were eliminated! The direction of strengthening this summer is clear, with 2 choices, and Westbrook has 3 possibilities for next home

On May 21, two days have passed since the Nuggets were eliminated. Looking back on two rounds of the playoffs, from the first round of the Clippers, the Nuggets defeated the Clippers with Gordon's super-god performance. When it arrived in the second round, Gordon seemed to have "advanced" his luck and even pulled the hamstring in the last 2 minutes of G6, which was also unlucky. However, there are also traces to follow, because Gordon is really hard-working - he averaged 37 minutes per game in the playoffs, scoring 16.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists, of which the three-point shooting percentage is 37.9%, and he repeatedly hit key three-pointers to save the team. This year is Gordon's best shooting season in his career.

So, in the second round, the Nuggets also fought the last bullet. They can welcome the offseason with their heads held high. Jokic can raise his right arm injury. Gordon recovered from his hamstring injury. Murray needs to recover from his morbidity. Porter Jr. urgently needs to treat his left shoulder and Westbrook's fingers...

Throughout the whole season, the Nuggets' record was not very good at the beginning of the season. Until 2025, with the return of the core lineup, the record climbed to the forefront of the Western Conference. By the end of the season, the team experienced another turmoil - a four-game losing streak in early April, head coach Malone and the team general manager were fired, assistant coach Adelman Jr. took over, and then there was a three-game winning streak, helping the Nuggets defend the top four in the Western Conference. Now that I think about it, the Nuggets are really lucky: if they don’t change coaches, they may lose their home advantage in the first round, so that the Nuggets will not even pass the first round.

But everything is the best arrangement. Adelman is now loved by players. The Nuggets' core lineup is still young. Jokic is 30, Murray is 28, Porter is 26, Gordon is 29, and Braun is 24. However, the Nuggets will face two options this summer.

First, the salary space is limited, and the rotation lineup is difficult to strengthen, so trading has become the only way. In the playoffs, there are not many substitutes in the Nuggets who can play, and most of the time is only 7 players. If Strauser had not been used in the second round, the main players would have been more time short. Therefore, behind the playoffs loss, the problem of the Nuggets' serious insufficient lineup is exposed.

So, how should the Nuggets strengthen? Let’s first look at the salary space. Westbrook and Saric player options in the offseason, Jordan Jr. and Chanchar became free agents, with the remaining 11 people protecting the contracts, of which Jokic is 55.22 million, Murray’s new contract of 208 million years and Murray’s four-year and 208 million yuan will take effect, with a salary of 46.39 million next season, Porter’s salary will rise to 38.33 million next season, Gordon’s salary will be 22.84 million next season, and the salary of 4 people is as high as US$163 million, accounting for 82% of the team’s salary. If the lineup remains unchanged, the Nuggets will pay a luxury tax of 36 million next season.

US media simulated trading: Nuggets sent Porter to the Lakers and got Vincent and Hachimura. It's simply outrageous.

Judging from the lineup salary structure, the "Salary 4 giants" are obviously not a good model for the championship, and trading is imperative. When Gordon made a three-pointer online, Braun was still improving. Porter, who played unstable, might be the victim of the trade. It would be the best if he could get a cheap, more stable three-pointer and a certain defense.

Second, internal resource mining. As long as there is no trade, the Nuggets' starting fives are at the top three in the league, but the Nuggets' substitute's firepower is really not satisfactory. With Westbrook's whereabouts unknown, of course, players like Braun, Strauser, and Watson can make rapid progress, just like Strauser's performance in the G6, but can 30-year-old Jokic afford it? In other words, the speed of progress of young players and the peak of Jokic to compete for the championship is more realistic.

Therefore, if the Nuggets want to return to the championship ranks, in the powerful west, they must take the initiative rather than wait for the enemy. Porter Jr. trades whenever he can, and there is nothing to be reluctant to do. Whether in the regular season or the playoffs, when the Nuggets win or lose, Porter Jr.'s data are completely different. The offense is strong and the defense is weak and unstable, and it is more appropriate to have high salary and low ability. Porter Jr. is not a suitable champion puzzle.

In addition to trading, the biggest uncertainty factor is Westbrook. Judging from the series with the Thunder, Westbrook seems to have played 7 home games, and he is still so popular in Oxford. After the G7 was knocked out, Westbrook and Alexander had a good chat. The next day, the reporter also captured the scene of Westbrook and Thunder general manager Presti in the same frame, which made people think a lot. For this reason, the US media gave Westbrook three potential next players:

, left behind the Nuggets, and happy basketball. Westbrook has been playing well in the Nuggets this season, averaging 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.4 breaks in the regular season, and averaging 11.7 points in the playoffs. However, Westbrook, who has a basic salary, has repeatedly hit key goals at critical moments, which is the Nuggets' earnings. Compared to the Rockets and Lakers, Westbrook has less pressure, more free offense, and is full of energy as soon as he goes on the court, especially in the series against the Clippers, which is impressive.

Second, joining Thunder, just for sentiment. As the former director of Oxford, Westbrook has had so many wonderful memories here. He will be 37 years old next season. Westbrook's email still has oil in his mailbox. The Thunder also needs a locker room leader like Westbrook, so joining the Thunder and returning to the beginning of the dream is not impossible for Westbrook.

Third, join forces with Huazi to break into Minnesota. As Gordon once said, "We want to compete for a championship ring for Westbrook." Westbrook has a lot of honors in his career, but this championship is the only one that is missing. Now the Timberwolves are in full swing, reaching the Western Conference Finals for two consecutive years. This year is also a year to win the championship. Conley is about to be 38 years old. If he retires next year, Westbrook will have a reason to join. At the same time, Westbrook's style is also very suitable for this young Timberwolves, who can keep playing passionate basketball.