The Denver Nuggets’ season has not gone to plan so far. After being a championship favorite before the season, Denver instead sits sixth in the Western Conference standings with a 13-10 record.

While the Nuggets have struggled, Nikola Jokić has not. The three-time MVP is on track to his fourth MVP award this season as he is averaging a career-high 31.5 points to go along with 13.3 rebounds and 9.8 assists per game. He is also shooting 56.4% from the field and a career-best 51.2% from three-point range.

With Jokić once again being an MVP frontrunner, he can only carry the Nuggets so far if the rest of the supporting cast does not improve. Because of this, Denver may be a team to watch before the NBA trade deadline in February as they could look to upgrade their roster.

One player who has continued to be in trade rumors is the Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler. Butler could opt out of his contract after this season and become a free agent. Due to this, Miami could look to move him this season so that they do not lose him for nothing next summer.

According to a recent report from The Athletics’ , the Heat are more interested in receiving win-now players in a trade for Butler rather than future draft picks.

“So if moving Butler brings back players that give Miami more of a shot, the Heat will engage,” wrote Aldridge. “That likely means taking back players, rather than a deal featuring a bunch of future picks. Riles doesn’t do rebuilds. (Plus, he’s going to be 80 in March.)”

This could propel the Nuggets into making a move for the six-time All-Star. They could offer the Heat Michael Porter Jr., Dario Šarić and Zeke Nnaji with draft capital attached in exchange for Butler.

For the Heat, Porter Jr. would replace Butler in their starting lineup and add another knockdown shooter to their roster. Šarić has proven in the past to be a solid role player despite his struggles in Denver this season.

By acquiring Butler, Denver would be a better team, especially defensively. He would become their second-best player behind Jokić and could help turn their season around as the Nuggets try to win their second championship in three seasons.