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Zach Ravenwei sent to the Denver Nuggets after scoring

9:44am, 17 May 2025【Basketball】

According to reports from Vishvisha Kumar, a contributor to US sports media F/W. As the Denver Nuggets get into a tense battle in the second round of the Thunder, people are starting to question what the next step for the Denver team will be if they fail to win the championship again. If Denver fails to advance through the second round in four years, this could eventually prompt them to take a major risk, including sending away a key core to pursue elite offensive firepower. The media simulated a 3-for-1 plan for it to send the top scorer to Zach Ravenwei to the Denver Nuggets.

Trading details

Nuggets received: Zach Laven

Kings receivers: Porter Jr., Najib, Tyson

Why should the Nuggets consider introducing Laven?

On the surface, the deal is explosive. Denver will acquire Zach Laven, a dynamic shooting guard who remains one of the most efficient high-capacity shooters in the NBA despite his injury history and defensive restrictions. After being traded from the Bulls to the Kings in the middle of the season, Raven averaged 22.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game while shooting 51.1% from the field and 44.6% from three-pointers. His shooting creation, conversion ability and depth make him a tailor-made scoring threat around Jokic and Murray.

For the Nuggets, the reason is clear: they need more half-time opportunities, especially when the opponent's defense locks in Jokic during the playoffs. Lavender offers Denver a Division III scorer who can take over the game offensively when Jokic is not on the court or faces a constant double-team team. Unlike Porter, who is mainly focused on fixed-point shooters, LaVine can create more opportunities outside the three-point line or when attacking the rim, a skill Denver lacks on the wing.

However, this move also poses risks. The Nuggets will give up Porter Jr., who averaged 18.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists this season, shooting 50.4% from the field and 39.5% from three-pointers. Porter is younger, taller, more cost-controlled than LaVine and has steadily grown to a reliable third-scoring choice behind Jokic and Murray. His unstable defense and lack of possession have led to the frustration of the playoffs, and in the competitive Western Conference, Denver may decide it needs a trade to reprove itself as an invincible team.

This deal can help the Kings

For the Kings, the deal may be a blessing in disguise. Sacramento is at a crossroads after missing the playoffs and trading Fox. Lavine may not be in line with their new direction, and his huge salary could be better distributed elsewhere. Swapping him for Porter Jr. provides the Kings with a younger, more comprehensive offensive player who can grow with Murray. Porter's ball-holding and rebounding ability adds dimensions that the Kings lack in forward position.

Nagy brought franchise protection and energy to Sacramento, who lacked frontcourt depth. Tyson is a promising shooter with a solid body shape that may develop into a key rotation player in a few years. The deal will rebuild the Kings more balanced and flexible around players with upside and scalability.

If both teams want to make adjustments, potential deals can be win-win, as this allows Denver to maximize its championship window, and Sacramento can build a younger, more flexible core. Still, Denver will be on the next big bet given LaVine’s injury history and huge contracts, and his offensive firepower can lift them to the top. If the Nuggets are not doing well against Oklahoma City, this might be something worth doing, what do you think?