The Denver Nuggets have plenty of picks and players; now they need to put it all together
Anyone remember Pokémon cards? The ultra-collectible trading card game? They were all the rage when I was growing up (I guess I just showed my age). The minute you mowed the neighbor’s lawn, you were dashing to the comic book store to buy a “booster pack” and see what you got. Probably just copies of cards you already owned, but if you got a holographic card? Well you were suddenly on Cloud 9. Even though they had the same effect in the game. Sort of like George Hill with bleached hair or without. Still George Hill. But much more exciting.
My problem with enjoying Pokémon was this kid in my neighborhood – let’s call him Billy. He would look at your shiny new Mew and comment “That’s an ok card. Since I like you, I’ll give you these three better cards for it.” Next thing you know, you’ve lost that holographic card forever.
And he did it to everyone, acting like his cards were more valuable and tricking you into making deals. Maybe instead of a card, he gave you real cash. “You could buy a whole new pack of cards if you sell me that one card.” Afterwards, you would go home and wonder why you felt so sad inside.
I’m sure you know who I am describing. Maybe you played Magic the Gathering. Or collected baseball cards. Or those pins Disney fanatics buy and stick on lanyards. For the “wisest” readers out there, I guess it’s stamps. But there is someone who convinces you to swap, and almost as soon as you do so, you want to take it back. Except, “no take-backs.” What a jerk. And, admittedly, a jerk who played the system and ended up with a lot of really good cards.
Denver is sort of the “Billy” of the NBA. Since trading Carmelo Anthony five years ago, they’ve struggled to find a star to replace him. But from the second-tier down, the Nuggets have done a masterful job of acquiring talent and maximizing talent in deals. GM Tim Connelly and his team have positively fleeced their fellow teams in recent transactions. Cleveland needs a center? Denver offered Timofey Mozgov, but only at the cost of two first-round picks. Portland needs a shooting guard? Even with Aaron Afflalo on an expiring deal, the Nuggets wrung a first-round pick AND current 6th man-of-the-year candidate Will Barton from the Trailblazers. Who wouldn’t take Barton over Afflalo straight up right now?
The list goes on. Ty Lawson, caught in a myriad of on- and off-court problems, still netted the Nuggets a first-round pick from Houston. Not to mention they could then use their newly-opened cap space to extend Danilo Gallinari’s contract. And their drafting has been superb, from flipping the #11 pick in 2015 into first-rounders Gary Harris and Jusuf Nurkic, to snagging European bigs Joffrey Lauvergne and Nikola Jokic as second-round picks. And their most recent move, stealing JaKarr Sampson from the 76ers when Philly tried to play the system to take part in a trade that didn’t even go through. Well done, Denver. Now that they’ve accumulated a treasure chest of picks and young players, what do they do to turn the corner?
How Things Stand
The Denver Nuggets are 23-36, 12th in the Western Conference and just behind the New Orleans Pelicans’ Memorial Hospital. Without the pressures of playoff expectations this season, the Nuggets’ record is of little importance. What is of greater importance to Denver is the position of the teams around them. First are the New York Knicks; the last piece of the Carmelo Anthony deal is conveyed this year, allowing the Nuggets to swap first-round picks with New York. Denver also receives first-round picks from Memphis, Portland, and Houston if things fall right for them.
The Nuggets’ roster is flush with young talent, centered around a trio of veteran forwards in Kenneth Faried, Wilson Chandler, and Danilo Gallinari. Emmanuel Mudiay has proven to be a worthy member of one of the greatest rookie classes in recent memory, ranking fifth in the rookie class in points per game, as well as first in assists. Fellow rookie Nikola Jokic is eighth in points and fourth in rebounds. Danilo Gallinari is signed through 2018 on a deal that will look like a bargain as early as next year, and is having a career year coming back from his string of major injuries. Wilson Chandler and Kenneth Faried are also signed long-term, through 2019. Gary Harris and Will Barton form a dangerous tandem at the two-guard, and a collection of European bigs back up Jokic. While there is hope for Mudiay, Jokic, or Jusuf Nurkic to blossom into bona fide stars, this roster appears to be incredible depth waiting to surround a true first-option.
Steps to Take
#1 – Play hard to the tape – The Nuggets have the option of swapping with the Knicks, and I think they should take advantage of that setup to be as competitive as they can over the last 20+ games. Winning is good for any team, and a determined playoff push could display how players react to the pressure of a “good” team.
#2 – Keep the lineup versatility – It is true that Denver has no less than four talented centers. It is also true that Gallinari’s best position appears to be the four. But that does not mean that Denver should jettison excess bigs as unneeded. Kenneth Faried is an athletic marvel with the motor of the Energizer Bunny, Wilson Chandler has proven to be a solid glue guy for a fast-paced offense, and Darrell Arthur has real value as a smart-defending power forward. While Denver cannot play all of them at once, there is no reason to work to move them off of the team. Having options is a good problem to have.
#3 – Flip some Players and/or Picks into a Better Player – With the above in mind, Denver still has the problem of too many players. They have thirteen players under contract for next season without factoring in three-to-five draft picks or any free agent acquisitions. Whether it is putting together some of those picks to move higher, or putting together a package for one of the better players on the market, Denver should be active in trying to improve their team while reducing their roster. This includes going after the stars – make calls to Cleveland, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and others.
#4 – Address the Wing – Often when a team is playing the “slow game”, they should approach the draft with a “best player available” stratagem, and go for value in free agency. But Denver should be looking for the wing of their future, whether that is Harrison Barnes, Terrence Ross, or Kobe Bryant (I kid!). The Nuggets aren’t talent-starved, so they have the freedom to seek after players of their choice. The draft is also a possible route, although most projections show a lack of wings during the middle part of the draft.
#5 – Stay Committed to Mudiay – A temptation of some rebuilding teams is to talk themselves out of prior picks. Philadelphia did it with Michael Carter-Williams, pulling the plug and shipping him to Milwaukee. Sacramento jumped on an opportunity to offload Nik Stauskas last summer. There may be temptation to do the same with Mudiay if his shot doesn’t improve immediately. Denver should resist that urge. Mudiay has already displayed above-average court vision to go with extreme athleticism and defensive toughness. The Nuggets need to allow him to influence the team in a positive way while the shot comes along. It will, and when it does, they will be glad they kept him around.
#6 – Fleece the Gullible Kid – Denver needs to seize its opportunity to “fairly” trade the easily-influenced kid down the street. The Sacramento Kings have a shiny holographic Charizard that they don’t seem to know how to use. The Nuggets should go all out to convince Sacramento that they’re better off without him. George Karl knows a number of Denver’s players from his time as coach, and Sacramento seems to legitimately want to win now. Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, Kenneth Faried, one of the Euro bigs, a draft pick or two – some combination that helps Sacramento think it got the better package. A point guard with great passing ability and a strong defensive backcourt is the perfect complement to Cousins, and Boogie gets reunited with the only coach he ever seemed to like. No take backs.
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