The Future Of The Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets have been getting better each season and after losing in the Western Conference Finals, the future is very bright for Denver. But what is next for the ascending team from the Rockies?
The Denver Nuggets have been getting better each season and after losing in the Western Conference Finals, the future is very bright for Denver. But what is next for the ascending team from the Rockies?
The Nuggets have been getting better in each of the last two seasons. But this loss in the Western Conference Finals showed some of Denver’s weaknesses. What will they do this offseason?
The Nuggets already have two All-Star level players in Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic. Jokic is easily the best center in the NBA and Jamal Murray is finally starting to show super-star potential. But on top of that they have some very solid pieces. Gary Harris is a solid 3 and D player who helps lock down the perimeter for Denver. Michael Porter Jr. is a great scorer with lots of raw talent. Monte Morris is a solid backup guard off the bench.
But the Nuggets have some holes they need to address this offseason. The main one being interior defense. Jokic was essentially alone down low against LA, and got in major foul trouble because of it. Mason Plumlee fell off in the bubble for some reason after being solid during the season. The Nuggets need some size. Paul Millsap is 35 years old and an unrestricted free agent this summer. I wouldn’t think that the Nuggets keep him, and if they do it would be for less than the $30,000,000 they paid him this season. Millsap is a solid veteran, but not big enough to contend with the elite big guys like AD down low.
Jerami Grant is another possible free agent as he has a player option. Grant will likely decline this as he was much better during the playoffs than his $9 million dollar contract suggests. Grant needs to stay a Nugget as they need him for defense against the forwards like Lebron and Kawhi. He is also a solid scorer.
Mason Plumlee is an unrestricted free agent, so expect Denver to keep him, but for much less than his $13.5 million dollar contract.
So the Nuggets have some decisions to make. Keep an aging Paul Millsap who is well past his prime? Retain Jerami Grant? Re-Sign Mason Plumlee? I would giving Grant all the money he wants, and keeping Plumlee to a small 1-2 year deal worth about $5-6 million per year. Ditch Millsap.
But the Nuggets need some size, but there aren’t too many great options. The best one is unrestricted free agent Serge Ibaka. Ibaka is 31 years old and has still been solid for the Raptors. His interior defense would greatly help Jokic down low.
So I think that the Nuggets go heavy after Serge Ibaka as he still has a few good years ahead of him. If you have some cap left after Grant, Plumlee, and Ibaka, you could sign guys like Mo Harkless for more wing depth. Wesley Matthews could provide shooting and defense off the bench. Patrick Patterson is a solid defender and can stretch the floor on offense.
So the Nuggets have some big decisions this offseason that could drastically affect the team in the coming seasons. Jerami Grant is somebody that Denver needs to retain. Plumlee could be resigned for much less money. Millsap needs to be ditched. Serge Ibaka would greatly help this team with his defense. Wesley Matthews and Mo Harkless are other solid options to help sort out the bench.
If everything goes right, the Nuggets might this starting lineup:
Jamal Murray
Gary Harris
Jerami Grant
Serge Ibaka
Nikola Jokic
Morris, Porter Jr, Barton, along with possible additions of Mo Harkless, Wesley Matthews, or Patrick Patterson off the bench.
It’ll be interesting to see which direction the Nuggets go, and if they chose wrong, they might lose their chances at a title. If they chose right, the city of Denver might finally get a basketball championship.
What Should The Nuggets Do This Offseason? Leave A Comment Down Below!
My Report From Day 36 of the Playoffs Will Be Posted Later Today, So Stay Tuned!
