Why don't stars want to play with Jokic in Denver?

JustBuzzin · Post #1 » by **JustBuzzin** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:16 am

It's crazy how we all view Jokic as the best player in basketball, yet nobody who becomes available wants to play with Jokic in Denver.

KD didn't even have Denver on his radar. If I were in his shoes I would desperately be trying to team up with Jokic.

I don't understand these stars man. Is it really about championships or does location matter more.

Why aren't stars trying to go to Denver and play with the best player in the world?

Thaddy · Post #2 » by **Thaddy** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:28 am

Maybe if they weren't paying Murray and MPJ? They have no chips to bargain with.

Phystic · Post #3 » by **Phystic** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:30 am

And how exactly would KD have gotten to Denver?

JustBuzzin · Post #4 » by **JustBuzzin** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:31 am

Phystic wrote:And how exactly would KD have gotten to Denver?

MPJ + picks.

No different than Green + picks

Bulliever2020 · Post #5 » by **Bulliever2020** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:31 am

It's not Jokic

Most NBA players don't want to play in Denver

JustBuzzin · Post #6 » by **JustBuzzin** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:32 am

Bulliever2020 wrote:It's not Jokic

Most NBA players don't want to play in Denver

What's wrong with Denver?

ShootersShoot · Post #7 » by **ShootersShoot** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:32 am

JustBuzzin wrote:
Phystic wrote:And how exactly would KD have gotten to Denver?

MPJ + picks.

No different than Green + picks

I dont recall denver having a lotto pick to trade.

DoctaJ · Post #8 » by **DoctaJ** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:33 am

JustBuzzin wrote:
Phystic wrote:And how exactly would KD have gotten to Denver?

MPJ + picks.

No different than Green + picks

Houston had a #10 pick to dangle (which reportedly Phoenix was high on). Please tell me what comparable pick DEN has/had to offer?

wegotthabeet · Post #9 » by **wegotthabeet** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:36 am

Thaddy wrote:Maybe if they weren't paying Murray and MPJ? They have no chips to bargain with.

Yeah, but that doesn’t stop players from wanting to go to Miami.

If we’re talking about other stars and why they don’t want to go to Denver there’s a few reasons.

1. Denver. not a lot of nba stars want to be there
2. Culture. These guys team up with players they got to know growing up in AAU or with team USA or whatever. Pre established relationships. Same culture. Easier to relate to one another.
3. Hubris. Anyone going to Denver is automatically the second option. It’s admitting you’re not the best.

Raps in 4 · Post #10 » by **Raps in 4** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:36 am

JustBuzzin wrote:
Phystic wrote:And how exactly would KD have gotten to Denver?

MPJ + picks.

No different than Green + picks

I didn't know Denver had a top-10 pick this year.

Phystic · Post #11 » by **Phystic** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:36 am

JustBuzzin wrote:
Phystic wrote:And how exactly would KD have gotten to Denver?

MPJ + picks.

No different than Green + picks

Which lotto pick did they have? Or what PHX picks do they have? Why would the Suns want MPJ over Green(not that Suns fans want Green )?

There was no realistic trade there the Suns would want.

Mephariel · Post #12 » by **Mephariel** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:37 am

JustBuzzin wrote:It's crazy how we all view Jokic as the best player in basketball, yet nobody who becomes available wants to play with Jokic in Denver.

KD didn't even have Denver on his radar. If I were in his shoes I would desperately be trying to team up with Jokic.

I don't understand these stars man. Is it really about championships or does location matter more.

Why aren't stars trying to go to Denver and play with the best player in the world?

What does Denver have that Suns want? Why would they want MPJ? MPJ is who he is. You can argue Green still can get better. They also had no picks.

Raps in 4 · Post #13 » by **Raps in 4** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:39 am

JustBuzzin wrote:
Bulliever2020 wrote:It's not Jokic

Most NBA players don't want to play in Denver

What's wrong with Denver?

It's kind of cold, it's smallish, and it's perceived as a boring town.

Optms · Post #14 » by **Optms** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:39 am

Denver are the basically Bucks of the West. Maybe worse. At least Bucks managed to lure Lillard.

Rockets have a brighter future. Elite coach, great young players and a better culture.

LeBronSpaghetti · Post #15 » by **LeBronSpaghetti** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:40 am

1. Denver doesn’t have the flexibility due to dumb management decisions.

2. Star players who move around a lot are guys who typically don’t win and care more about location than anything else.

Ckay · Post #16 » by **Ckay** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:52 am

I hope it's Denver.

Lockdown504090 · Post #17 » by **Lockdown504090** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:55 am

I just think they dont have a way to acquire these guys. the 2nd apron makes the trades really challenging as well. It was the same thing with dirk. There were a lot of the same narratives, about euro, white, players not wanting to win. its really just that the nuggets are in perpetual win now mode, and they will struggle to have competitive assets in a trade.

SportsGuru08 · Post #18 » by **SportsGuru08** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 1:56 am

Could just be a case of small market woes. Out of all the teams that are considered small market, many either don't have championships or at least not enough to be considered a dynasty. The one exception is the Spurs but even they built primarily through the draft. The jury is out on how long OKC can sustain themselves.

Face it, small markets just don't appeal to free agents. Not the major ones anyway.

Shock Defeat · Post #19 » by **Shock Defeat** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 2:06 am

JustBuzzin wrote:
Phystic wrote:And how exactly would KD have gotten to Denver?

MPJ + picks.

No different than Green + picks

KD doesn't want to be second fiddle. He wants to be the man in the next place he goes.

Also MPJ has worse value than Green, even tho both are negative value players. Plus Houston had a lotto pick to trade. Dillon Brooks is useful too.

Lalouie · Post #20 » by **Lalouie** » Tue Jun 24, 2025 2:13 am

because it's denver

refering to kd....kd has been a all time pro for almost 20yrs. he's got 2rings
not only why would he want to spend his last days in DENVER, but as a tag along with gsw and a failure at two other teams, maybe he wants to rectify that with helping a young team of pups.

it ain't happening but,,,,just saying