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The Denver Nuggets won their first NBA title on Monday, taking down the Heat in Game 5 to complete the series victory. Superstar Nikola Jokic was a big reason why as he averaged 30.2 points, 14 rebounds, and 7.2 assists a night in the championship set.
That included a pair of triple-doubles, both of which came in Denver wins. As a result, he was named Finals MVP, capping a stellar season for the Nuggets.
But at one point in time, his future with the franchise wasn’t so clear.
Ahead of the 2016 NBA Draft, rumors circulated linking the Joker to a potential trade. The Boston Celtics, who owned the rights to the No. 3 pick, were shopping their top selection around for new talent.
Jokic was a name that was mentioned, though not many in Boston were excited about the possibility of losing a high draft pick for a lesser-known commodity.
At the time, the big man was coming off of a rookie season where he notched 10 points and seven boards a night.
One particular Boston media outlet didn’t believe the risk was worth the reward. That freezing cold take is now making its way around the internet.
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“So, now I have to give up the No. 3 pick AND something for Jokic??… What are we even talking about?”
The Celtics didn’t wind up trading that pick, instead drafting Jaylen Brown. Nikola Jokic, meanwhile, has developed into arguably the league’s best big, winning a pair of MVP awards over the last three seasons.
Boston has come painfully close to an NBA title in each of the last two seasons, losing out in the championship series a year ago before falling in the Eastern Conference Finals this spring.
We’ll never know if the addition of Jokic would’ve changed things. It’s clear that Denver is happy a move wasn’t made.