NBA legend Charles Barkley has issued a stern warning to the Denver Nuggets, urging the team not to squander the prime of Nikola Jokic. Despite Jokic’s brilliance, the Nuggets have struggled to find consistency this season, with an 11-8 record that highlights their potential but also their fragility.
Barkley, speaking during the TNT halftime show of the Warriors-Nuggets game, emphasized that Denver needs to make moves before the trade deadline. “I will say this about Denver: I hope they make a trade. You cannot waste the Joker’s career,” Barkley said. “He is the best player in the world. They could win [the championship] again.”
The Nuggets’ bench, according to Barkley, has become a significant issue. “They let two guys go off the bench who were very vital to winning the championship. Their bench is weaker than water,” he pointed out, urging the team to strengthen its roster.
Barkley also called on Jamal Murray to step up but stressed the need for additional talent. “You got the guy [Jokic] that great. You got to win some more. He got another five years. Because, when he gets older, his game is still gonna be fine. He is not the most athletic player in the world. You cannot waste this guy’s prime, he’s the best player in the world. Get greedy,” Barkley advised.
Nikola Jokic, who continues to perform at an elite level, is currently averaging a triple-double with 30.1 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 10.4 assists per game. Despite occasional critiques of his leadership style from coach Mike Malone and NBA stars like Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, Jokic remains focused on letting his play do the talking.
After leading the Nuggets to the championship in 2023, Jokic’s team faced disappointment last season, exiting the Western Conference semifinals after a Game 7 loss to Minnesota. The departure of key players like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Bruce Brown, and Jeff Green since their title run has also left a gap in the team’s depth.
For Barkley, the message is clear: with a player like Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets cannot afford to waste his prime years. The time to capitalize on his greatness is now.
