Hall of Famer Urges Nuggets to Trade for 6x All-Star as Russell Westbrook Confirms Major News

When your nightmares turn into reality, you become the Denver Nuggets. Firing Michael Malone earlier this year didn’t help them fulfill the target of winning the championship. Despite putting up a tough fight in the playoffs, Nikola Jokic & Co. were handed a heartbreak by the OKC Thunder. Therefore, one of the NBA’s greats has proposed a blockbuster idea, as major news comes from Russell Westbrook.

The 36-year-old veteran guard finished the year with averages of 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per contest while shooting 44.9% from the field and 32.3% from the three-point range in 75 games. And maybe, just maybe, he won’t be on the trade board, unlike Paul Pierce’s idea about Michael Porter Jr. 

On KG Certified, Celtics legend Paul Pierce stirred the pot. He floated a bold idea—6x All-Star, DeMar DeRozan to Denver. His pitch? Trade DeRozan from the Kings for Michael Porter Jr. Pierce believes pairing DeRozan with Jokic and Murray could reignite the Nuggets’ title hopes. After two painful playoff exits, Denver needs fresh fire. And Pierce thinks this could be it. A new trio. A new spark and maybe even a shot at glory again.

“For the next five years, if you got the best player, you got to put some pieces,” said Pierce, a 10-time All-Star who was named NBA Finals MVP after leading the Celtics to a championship in 2008. “I feel like if they had a DeMar DeRozan with that team right now, with Joker, he don’t need to be the best player or the second-best player every night. He is going to give you more than what Michael Porter Jr. gave you.”

Despite Jamal Murray’s illness and Michael Porter Jr.’s shoulder setback, the spotlight still found Porter. His underwhelming playoff showings did not help. Now, trade talks are picking up steam. And for good reason. Time is ticking on Nikola Jokic’s golden years. Denver knows that the clock will not wait. So, whispers are growing louder. A shift may be coming. Because if they want to chase another ring, standing still is no longer an option.

And while the Denver Nuggets could seriously consider a DeMar DeRozan trade in the offseason to give Jokic the support he needs, Russell Westbrook stirs some air. He confirmed his health updates that might give hope to Nuggets fans as the 36-year-old is healing and gearing up for the 2025-26 season.

Russell Westbrook announces major health update

Brodie spent the 2024-25 NBA season playing for the Denver Nuggets. However, on Tuesday, the future Hall of Famer announced that he will undergo surgery. Russell Westbrook wrote in his ‘Word of Westbrook’ newsletter that the surgery is to fix two breaks that happened during the season. 

Westbrook wrote: “This morning, I’m undergoing surgery on my right hand to fix two breaks that happened during the season. I’m grateful for everyone’s support all year and can’t wait to be back out there at 100% soon. The comeback is already in motion. #WhyNot.”

The storm is brewing in Denver, and change might be the only way out. With Pierce pushing bold trades and Russell Westbrook vowing a fierce comeback, the pieces are moving fast. Jokic needs help. The clock keeps ticking. And if the Nuggets want to rise again, they must choose urgency over comfort.