Overview

• Ethen Hutton of Sports Illustrated floated a hypothetical trade sending Josh Hart to Denver for Christian Braun, Zeke Nnaji, Peyton Watson and a protected 2031 first-round pick.
• Hutton’s case for New York emphasizes a lower-cost starter in Braun, added bench pieces and some salary relief alongside a distant first-round asset.
• Coverage notes Hart’s reputation as the Knicks’ galvanizing presence and strong playoff utility, even as critics question whether his offense warrants Denver giving up Braun, Watson and a pick.
• The Nuggets’ calculus includes a concentrated payroll and a projection from The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie that Braun could command roughly $125–$145 million as a 2026 restricted free agent.
• Context from recent reporting includes Hart losing his late-playoff starting role and the Knicks adding Jordan Clarkson, Guerschon Yabusele and Malcolm Brogdon, though no reporting indicates either team is pursuing this proposal.