NBA Trade Idea In a recent trade idea proposed by Dan Favale of Bleacher Report, a potential deal between the Washington Wizards, Chicago Bulls, and Denver Nuggets has been laid out, which would bring Justin Champagnie and Ayo Dosunmu to Denver.
Trade Breakdown:
- Denver Nuggets Receive:
- Justin Champagnie (Washington Wizards)
- Ayo Dosunmu (Chicago Bulls)
- Chicago Bulls Receive:
- Zeke Nnaji (Denver Nuggets)
- Peyton Watson (Denver Nuggets)
- 2026 second-round pick (least favorable of Dallas, Oklahoma City, and Philadelphia, via Washington)
- 2028 first-round swap (top-10 protection, via Denver)
- Washington Wizards Receive:
- 2032 second-round pick (via Denver)
Why the Trade Makes Sense for the Nuggets:
The Nuggets, fresh off a second-round exit to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2025 playoffs, have made some notable moves this offseason. They added Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr., Jonas Valančiūnas, and Cameron Johnson to bolster their roster. However, Favale believes the team should target Champagnie and Dosunmu next to further strengthen their depth and flexibility.
- Ayo Dosunmu is a versatile guard with solid playmaking skills, especially in pick-and-roll situations. While not a traditional floor general, Dosunmu showed improvement last season in his ability to facilitate while driving to the basket, ranking among the best in scoring efficiency and assist rate when attacking downhill. His defensive abilities, including the ability to guard multiple positions, would allow him to complement Jamal Murray in the backcourt.
- Justin Champagnie is described as one of the NBA’s “hidden gems.” He’s an excellent defender, regularly tasked with guarding the opponent’s best players. On the offensive side, Champagnie has proven to be an efficient shooter, hitting nearly 42% of his spot-up threes. His two-way ability would provide valuable depth to the Nuggets’ forward rotation.
Dosunmu and Champagnie’s Performance in 2024-25:
- Ayo Dosunmu: The 25-year-old guard appeared in 46 games for the Bulls, averaging 12.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.4 blocks while shooting 49.2% from the field, 32.8% from three, and 78.5% from the free-throw line. With Dosunmu entering the final year of his contract, this move could provide the Nuggets with a cost-effective and impactful guard.
- Justin Champagnie: The 24-year-old forward played 62 games for the Wizards, posting averages of 8.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game. He shot 51.1% from the field and 38.3% from three, making him an efficient offensive weapon. Champagnie would provide the Nuggets with a reliable and versatile wing who can defend at a high level.
For the Wizards and Bulls:
- The Washington Wizards would gain a future second-round pick, adding more assets to their rebuilding process.
- The Chicago Bulls would receive Nnaji, Watson, and a variety of picks to continue their roster reshaping. The deal could help both teams as they look toward the future, whether by adding young talent (in the case of the Bulls) or stockpiling future assets (for the Wizards).
Conclusion:
This trade would provide the Nuggets with additional depth, particularly in the backcourt and on the wing, while allowing the Bulls and Wizards to continue focusing on their future development. Dosunmu and Champagnie’s skill sets would complement Denver’s title aspirations, adding versatility, defense, and shooting to their rotation.
