As the rest of the Western Conference's contenders had seized the opportunity created by injuries to and defections from the five-time defending conference champion Golden State Warriors, the Denver Nuggets -- who finished second to the Warriors during the 2018-19 regular season and were a game away from facing them in the conference finals -- had stood pat this offseason.
That changed Monday, as the Nuggets struck a deal to use a trade exception to add Jerami Grant from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for a 2020 first-round pick. Grant effectively becomes Denver's pickup in free agency, while the Thunder continue shedding salary and accumulating first-round picks in the wake of last weekend's stunning Paul George trade. Let's look at the implications for both sides.
Denver Nuggets get: Jerami Grant
Oklahoma City Thunder get: 2020 first-round pick