Nuggets Solver Overlooked Problem in Offseason Mock Trade

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By JH Kubicek | Last updated Mar 11, 2025 4:48 PM ET

The Denver Nuggets boast the second-best record in the Western Conference and often look the part of the best team to challenge the Oklahoma City Thudner for a chance to make the NBA Finals. However, despite being led by MVP front-runner Nikola Jokic, they are not without their flaws.

Weidly, the Nuggets boast the second-best 3-point percentage in the NBA, but they take the very fewest attempts in the entire league. Of course, Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Russell Westbrook are all excellent facilitators, and all the Nuggets have to do is emphasize attempts.

The best way for them to improve their shooting would be adding an off-ball threat who can make the most of playing next to some high-level passers. In a mock trade published by Bleacher Report, Denver would add the perfect player to their cast.

In the deal, Denver would part with youngsters Peyton Watson and Zeke Nnaji in exchange for Donte DiVincenzo, who is shooting 39.5% from deep for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

"This team could use another gunner off the bench, someone who would capitalize on open looks coming from Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray and others," wrote Greg Swartz while describing how DiVincenzo would fit in. "DiVincenzo's 2.8 made threes per game rank 27th overall in the NBA, with the veteran guard knocking down 39.4 percent of his looks."

As long as Jokic is on the team, and there's no indication that he could be on the way out, surrounding him with shooters who thrive without the ball in his hands seems like a simple recipe for success, and DiVincenzo would fit in better than either Watson or Nnaji.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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