There were high hopes for the Denver Nuggets this season, especially with Nikola Jokic still at the forefront. But they could not get the job done, exiting in the first round of the playoffs after losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Nuggets were hampered by injuries, with Jokic, Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, Cam Johnson, Peyton Watson, and Jonas Valanciunas all missing time. Even when they regained a healthy roster, it felt like the Nuggets never found their rhythm.

There have been whispers about a rebuild in Denver, with the 31-year-old Jokic, presumably, as the only untouchable player.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, multiple teams are interested in Aaron Gordon, but the Nuggets are also reluctant to part ways with him.

“I'm told Aaron Gordon, who turns 31 in September, is the Denver veteran drawing the strongest external trade interest. Next season will be the first on a three-year, $103.6 million contract extension that Gordon secured after helping Nikola Jokic and Co. win the first championship in the team's NBA history in 2022-23,” wrote Stein on his Substack.

Instead of Gordon, who was limited to just 36 games due to a hamstring strain and averaged 16.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists, Stein noted that the Nuggets are trying to shop around Braun.

“League sources say that the Nuggets' preferred course for a roster shakeup is finding a trade market for Christian Braun rather than entertaining deals that involve Gordon or Jamal Murray after Murray's first All-Star season, but those efforts are rife with challenges,” added Stein.

The 25-year-old Braun only appeared in 44 games due to a sprained ankle. After a promising run in his third season, his numbers regressed to 12.8 points and 4.7 rebounds.

Stein also mentioned that while the Nuggets are “determined to re-sign” the 23-year-old Watson, who had a breakout campaign, they are not ruling out a trade if it could net them future assets and financial flexibility.

Watson averaged career-highs of 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 54 games. He dealt with a hamstring strain.