3 Nikola Jokic blockbuster trades that will never happen

Despite losing the MVP race last season and potentially again this year due to missed time, there’s no question that Nikola Jokic is the best player in the NBA. The three-time MVP and former NBA Finals MVP is averaging 29.3 points, 12 rebounds and 10.7 assists per game. The The Denver Nuggets star just returned from an extended layoff due to a bruised bone in the knee. His 16 games missed was the longest inactive period of his career. However, Jokic has always been a durable and reliable star and is well on his way to becoming one of the greatest players in NBA history.

Jokic is a loyal player who will likely retire Nugget, and Denver is hoping for more MVPs and championships to come in his career. The team would never trade him, because even the most impressive trade package ever created would not be enough to land Jokic. He’s just too talented. After all, Jokić is an unstoppable scorer and rebounder from the inside; he’s one of the best passers ever despite playing center, his basketball IQ is second to none, and he’s regularly one of the most efficient 3-point shooters in the NBA.

It’s always fun to theorize potential trades, though, especially after the other side is a star and offensive engine like Luka Dončić was shockingly traded last year. They will not trade Dok Jokić for 2026 NBA trade deadlineor more recently, for that matter, what are the jobs that only make sense?

Celtics get: Nikola Jokic, Zeke Nnaji

The Nuggets get: Jaylen Brown, Jordan Walsh, Sam Hauser, two first-round picks, four first-round trade picks, five second-round picks

There’s no star worth trading Jokic for, but Jaylen Brown has really improved his game in Jayson Tatum’s absence. With Tatum on the sidelines, Brown has proven he’s a true megastar, not just another option. Like Jokic, Brown is a former NBA Finals MVP. He’s playing elite defense this season, averaging 29.4 points per game, and surprisingly has the Celtics in third place in the Eastern Conference.

However, after Tatum’s return from an Achilles tear, the existing hierarchy of Tatum as the 1A and Brown as the second option may return to form. The Celtics also happen to need a long-term center. If they could agree on one of the best centers in NBA historythey’d be willing to part ways with Brown, even after all he’s done for the franchise this season and in previous years.

The Celtics would also part with Jordan Walsh, Sam Hauser, two first-round picks, and trade every other year in this trade. Walsh has really come into his own as a defensive force this season, and Houser provides a 3-point shot. Despite the fact that it is a decent amount of basic capital, it would be far from enough to realistically acquire Jokic. After all, trading picks wouldn’t do much for Denver as a Celtics team led by Jokic would be picking at the end of the first round on a yearly basis.

Thunder receives: Nikola Jokic

The Nuggets get: Isaiah Hartenstein, Thomas Sorber, Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Joe, eight first-round picks (two of which were originally Denver’s)

Jokic will not be traded, but if the Nuggets were to consider a deal even for a second, it would likely only be for a trade package that could be offered to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite being the reigning champions, the Thunder are incredibly well-prepared for the future with more draft capital than any other team.

Trading for Jokic would require a bigger trade package than anything seen before. In this deal, the Thunder would trade a whopping eight first-round picks for Jokic. The Thunder’s core was built because of a huge trade in which they added tons of youth and draft capital in exchange for Paul George. This trade would be eerily similar, but even bigger.

It might be worth it for the Thunder, though. Jokic is so great. Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will likely have a combined five MVPs after this season. Their pairing, along with All-Star talent in Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, would give the Thunder the potential to be the most unbeatable team in NBA history.

The Thunder would lose role players Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Joe and Isaiah Hartenstein in this deal, as well as first-round pick Thomas Sorber in 2025. The team has so much depth that it simply wouldn’t matter. In addition to the newly formed big four, the Thunder would still have a rotation that would be rounded out by Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace, Kenich Williams, Ajayi Mitchell and Jaylin Williams. Nikola Topić and Usman Dieng also have the potential to become contributors.

Spurs get: Nikola Jokic, 2031 first round pick swap

The Nuggets get: Victor Wembanyama, Devin Vassell, Kelly Olynyk

Jokic and Viktor Vembanjama are perhaps the two most consistent players in the NBA. No one is as talented as Jokic, but Vembanjama has an unprecedented ceiling. The 22-year-old is 7 feet tall and has the offensive skill set of a guard. He can create rebound and step back shots that have never been seen before by someone his size. He will also be a perennial favorite for Defensive Player of the Year in the future.

While still unlikely, the only way Jokic or Vembanjama could be traded could be if they were traded for each other. Even then, giving up the deepest Jokic-led team they had wouldn’t make much sense for Denver, and it wouldn’t make sense for San Antonio to age either.

At the end of the day, a Jokic trade has about a 0% chance of happening. Still, these are three trades that might make fans think twice.