Denver Nuggets complete trade during NBA Finals

Not sure I've ever seen this before. I remember the Celtics trading Kemba Walker prior to the playoffs being over, but today a current NBA Finals particapant made a trade.

The Denver Nuggets are acquiring a 2024 first- and second-round pick and a 2023 second-round pick in a deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder for a protected 2029 first-round pick, sources told ESPN on Friday.

As the Nuggets try to maximize this championship window, they'll get the least favorable of Oklahoma City's first-round picks in the 2024 draft, and the 37th pick in the June 22 draft, sources told ESPN.

The Thunder who have more 1st round draft picks than realistic roster spots available in the next couple years, have been looking to punt back some of those picks into futire years. 2029 certainly counts as the future.

To continue to compete in the NBA once you have a championship team, you need to supplement your high paid stars with some underpaid role players. One of the best ways to accomplish that is through the draft. With this trade the Nuggets get a few cracks in the next 13 months to add a solid cost controlled young piece.

We'll have to wait to see what the protections are on the 2029 first round pick to fully judge who won this trade.