TC gets an extension

[skywalker33]

Somewhat surprising since most Nuggets FO guys don't get extended, more likely re-signed. Good for him !!

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources--nuggets-gm-tim-connelly-agrees-to-multi-year-extension-195316470.html

[The Rebel]

Maybe they learned from the Ujiri fiasco. This team has grown on me and while they did some deals that 1st summer he has been pretty good the last couple of years.

[tstrick33]

I like TC. He's shown that he draft well and make good trades (for the most part). We just need one or two more guys to shoulder the scoring load with Gallo and we should be back in the playoffs.

[DaFan334]

He seems like a good fit for how this franchise needs to build a good team, through the draft and smart trades. We won't get the big free agents anytime soon so we might as well go with youth. TC has found very good draft picks for where we are picking which is not something easy to do as the draft is quite the crap shoot. I like this move.

[skywalker33]

He seems like a good fit for how this franchise needs to build a good team, through the draft and smart trades. We won't get the big free agents anytime soon so we might as well go with youth. TC has found very good draft picks for where we are picking which is not something easy to do as the draft is quite the crap shoot. I like this move.

Brings up a good question...WHEN does DEN ever become a free agent destination for more than low-to-mid level players ? It's a market we can't really tap right now, losing as we are (even though we are more competitive recently), is that our only obstacle to getting a prime free agent to sign here ?

[RRFB]

Brings up a good question...WHEN does DEN ever become a free agent destination for more than low-to-mid level players ? It's a market we can't really tap right now, losing as we are (even though we are more competitive recently), is that our only obstacle to getting a prime free agent to sign here ?

Matt Moore kind of addressed that in his piece about TC last night. It's a pretty good read.

They've re-established a winning culture, even before the wins have come. The team plays hard each night under Michael Malone and significant strides have been made in rehabilitating a locker room that seemed as lost as it could be. Even if everyone isn't thrilled with how the team plays, or the mistakes carried by the inexperienced core the team is building upon, at least everyone is moving in the same direction.

In the preseason, several players either signed extensions before they could hit free agency (Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari), or signed outright (Jameer Nelson, Darrell Arthur) when better opportunities had presented themselves to compete on playoff teams. Surprisingly one thing they mentioned was how impressed they were by the culture they saw being built by management, including GM Tim Connelly. They wanted to stay and be a part of it.
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"Hopefully as we move to this offseason and we have a chance to make a pretty big free agent splash, that renewed optimism about the organization can be maximized and we can continue to get better," Connelly said in reference to a question about the Nuggets' to revamp their image with a renovated locker room and stadium and game ops aesthetic changes.

There's risk in free agency and Denver has had a brutal time attracting anyone to really consider the Nuggets as an option. That's where that continuity comes into play, along with the league-wide popularity of coach Michael Malone, new facilities, and that isn't looking to tank, but instead to start building towards real wins now.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/25455472/nuggets-continuity-the-key-behind-decision-to-extend-gm-connelly

I don't think you can bank on culture and continuity being enough to lure in free agents, but it's certainly a step in the right direction. Look at the Iguodala to GSW signing. It might be a unique situation, but whatever it was he liked about Mark Jackson and their culture played a huge part in his desire to go there. Of course they also had a loaded roster, so that's our next step. The young guys need to prove that they're capable of winning. That's ultimately what will attract the free agents.

[Powder Blue]

I'm going to go ahead and say with another season basically in the books his free agent signings are still questionable. These are his signings last year looking ahead

Chandler 3/36 Mil
Nelson 2/9 Mil
Gallo 2/36 Mil (Last year option)
Barton 2/8 Mil
Arthur 1/3Mil (option)

The Nelson deal looks pretty bad right now seeing DJ take all his minutes at a lower salary
I like Chandler but he's missed A LOT of time due to injury and we're tied to him for 3 more seasons.
Gallo is who he is at this point, to be more than a doormat low playoff seed we need someone else at least equally talented
Barton has had a decent season on a bad team, good signing
Arthur solid vet, worth 3 if he stays.

At some point a GM has be able to evaluate non-rookie talent and sign that talent to the right deals. TC needs to improve in that department.

[DaFan334]

Pretty positive Nelson is still injured and has been since DJ came in. As is, Jameel is here for his leadership and professionalism more than his on court play. Shouldn't have given him that long of a deal, but come next year that's pretty small money at least.

[skywalker33]

Nelson 2/9 Mil
The Nelson deal looks pretty bad right now seeing DJ take all his minutes at a lower salary

Well, that was before his injury, but Nelson was providing exactly what we needed from him, good backup PG play and leadership. The length was what questionable to me.

Chandler 3/36 Mil
I like Chandler but he's missed A LOT of time due to injury and we're tied to him for 3 more seasons.

Still like the signing, but they should have known about the hip injury. He'll make a difference next year and is still looked upon as a decent asset to the organization.

Gallo 2/36 Mil (Last year option)
Gallo is who he is at this point, to be more than a doormat low playoff seed we need someone else at least equally talented

This has been his best year as a pro, he's shown his worth, that of a 3rd option on a playoff team. He does need to be more consistent but his 19/6 has been very good for us this year.

Barton 2/8 Mil
Barton has had a decent season on a bad team, good signing

Agreed, he's been a steal this year, great signing.

Arthur 1/3Mil (option)
Arthur solid vet, worth 3 if he stays.

Cheap, defensive-minded talent who kept Hickson off the court, that says the signing was a good one in itself.

At some point a GM has be able to evaluate non-rookie talent and sign that talent to the right deals. TC needs to improve in that department.

Agree with this as well, but are you taking note that two of the talents acquired by TC (Barton & Augustin) you identified, seem to be working out well in Denver. TC has yet to bring a high profile FA to the Nuggets, but how many of those have EVER come to the Nuggets, as Denver doesn't seem to be a high profile stopping point for NBA free agents...so far. He's building through the draft, while trying to maintain decent levels of cap space and without losing our best assets.

[Powder Blue]

Nelson 2/9 Mil
The Nelson deal looks pretty bad right now seeing DJ take all his minutes at a lower salary

Well, that was before his injury, but Nelson was providing exactly what we needed from him, good backup PG play and leadership. The length was what questionable to me.

Chandler 3/36 Mil
I like Chandler but he's missed A LOT of time due to injury and we're tied to him for 3 more seasons.

Still like the signing, but they should have known about the hip injury. He'll make a difference next year and is still looked upon as a decent asset to the organization.

Gallo 2/36 Mil (Last year option)
Gallo is who he is at this point, to be more than a doormat low playoff seed we need someone else at least equally talented

This has been his best year as a pro, he's shown his worth, that of a 3rd option on a playoff team. He does need to be more consistent but his 19/6 has been very good for us this year.

Barton 2/8 Mil
Barton has had a decent season on a bad team, good signing

Agreed, he's been a steal this year, great signing.

Arthur 1/3Mil (option)
Arthur solid vet, worth 3 if he stays.

Cheap, defensive-minded talent who kept Hickson off the court, that says the signing was a good one in itself.

At some point a GM has be able to evaluate non-rookie talent and sign that talent to the right deals. TC needs to improve in that department.

Agree with this as well, but are you taking note that two of the talents acquired by TC (Barton & Augustin) you identified, seem to be working out well in Denver. TC has yet to bring a high profile FA to the Nuggets, but how many of those have EVER come to the Nuggets, as Denver doesn't seem to be a high profile stopping point for NBA free agents...so far. He's building through the draft, while trying to maintain decent levels of cap space and without losing our best assets.

From what I've read Nelson has been a healthy scratch the past few games, DJ's play has kept him on the bench. 4.5 mil is too much to be paying a 3rd string PG. That 4.5 mil could go towards some rotational talent. I've liked what I've seen out of DJ, rather have him than Jameer.

I was grading TC on his FA signings, Yes Barton was a decent pickup but like I said Barton is an above average 6th man on a bad team. His other signings are iffy at best. Denver was always in the mix for big names in FA or trades in the Melo years, I don't see why that couldn't return if we could finally move past the Gallo/Chandler/Faried "core".

[skywalker33]

From what I've read Nelson has been a healthy scratch the past few games, DJ's play has kept him on the bench. 4.5 mil is too much to be paying a 3rd string PG. That 4.5 mil could go towards some rotational talent. I've liked what I've seen out of DJ, rather have him than Jameer.

I was grading TC on his FA signings, Yes Barton was a decent pickup but like I said Barton is an above average 6th man on a bad team. His other signings are iffy at best. Denver was always in the mix for big names in FA or trades in the Melo years, I don't see why that couldn't return if we could finally move past the Gallo/Chandler/Faried "core".

Have to agree that DJ's play is keeping Nelson on the bench, but during his time in OKC, he was on the bench behind a rookie as the 3rd PG. Nobody (at least that I heard of) expected this kind of play out of him. I'd agree that I'd like to free up that $4.5M and just keep DJ until we can draft a backup PG, but as I said earlier Nelson wasn't playing badly before his injury, he was actually playing well IMO.

And you can say we were in the mix for free agents in the Melo years, but not one ever came to Denver, so it's pure speculation that we were "in the mix" for free agents, we just don't have the winning culture yet but we're headed that direction. So far it's been reported we have been in the mix for Love, heard rumors of Griffin so I never believe we are out of reach of trades and I think those core piece players could be part of future trades while we are building towards a winning culture (at least I hope so).

I hear what you're saying and think we want the same thing, but I am drinking the kool-aid thinking we are on the right path, just need to play it out. TC isn't RC Buford, but he isn't Billy King either.

[RRFB]

I just don't know what you would have wanted him to do instead. Even with their injury histories, Gallo and Chadler are viewed highly around the league. Those contracts aren't crippling their value. It'd be nice if Nelson didn't have two more years on his deal, but if he's your worst contract, you're in pretty good shape. The key is that TC has kept us financially flexible. Maybe he could have overpaid for an impact free agent, but what's the point when the rest of the team is still a couple years away from being competitive?

[NuggetsWY]

TC resigned some guys that are mediocre at best - each is getting paid more than others with similar skills, but that happens. Those resignings did not impress me and with the current market, they are only mildly discouraging. However, the assistant director of basketball operations could have had their assistant take care of those signings. The players go enough, they weren't leaving because no one else would pay them that much.

TC has had some good drafts but those are VERY much a team thing. No one person can be aware of everything about every player in college AND overseas. But the ultimate call is his, so credit there.

However, his free agent signings (none) and his trades (insignificant at best) leave you wondering if he knows anything about NBA talent or if he's afraid to pull the trigger.

I'll give him an incomplete on his coach selection. A "C" on his resignings. A "B" on his drafts. An incomplete on his free agent signings and an incomplete on trades.

Don't dislike the guy, don't like him, not sure he makes much of a difference from what I can see.

[Powder Blue]

From what I've read Nelson has been a healthy scratch the past few games, DJ's play has kept him on the bench. 4.5 mil is too much to be paying a 3rd string PG. That 4.5 mil could go towards some rotational talent. I've liked what I've seen out of DJ, rather have him than Jameer.

I was grading TC on his FA signings, Yes Barton was a decent pickup but like I said Barton is an above average 6th man on a bad team. His other signings are iffy at best. Denver was always in the mix for big names in FA or trades in the Melo years, I don't see why that couldn't return if we could finally move past the Gallo/Chandler/Faried "core".

Have to agree that DJ's play is keeping Nelson on the bench, but during his time in OKC, he was on the bench behind a rookie as the 3rd PG. Nobody (at least that I heard of) expected this kind of play out of him. I'd agree that I'd like to free up that $4.5M and just keep DJ until we can draft a backup PG, but as I said earlier Nelson wasn't playing badly before his injury, he was actually playing well IMO.

And you can say we were in the mix for free agents in the Melo years, but not one ever came to Denver, so it's pure speculation that we were "in the mix" for free agents, we just don't have the winning culture yet but we're headed that direction. So far it's been reported we have been in the mix for Love, heard rumors of Griffin so I never believe we are out of reach of trades and I think those core piece players could be part of future trades while we are building towards a winning culture (at least I hope so).

I hear what you're saying and think we want the same thing, but I am drinking the kool-aid thinking we are on the right path, just need to play it out. TC isn't RC Buford, but he isn't Billy King either.

Guys like K-Mart, Camby, Miller, Birman, JR were all free agent pickups during the Melo years, not to mention the trades that brought AI, Billups, Affalo. Almost all those transactions are better than anything TC has done outside the draft. For this team to regain relevancy it has to be built through the draft AND free agency/trades.

[Powder Blue]

TC resigned some guys that are mediocre at best - each is getting paid more than others with similar skills, but that happens. Those resignings did not impress me and with the current market, they are only mildly discouraging. However, the assistant director of basketball operations could have had their assistant take care of those signings. The players go enough, they weren't leaving because no one else would pay them that much.

TC has had some good drafts but those are VERY much a team thing. No one person can be aware of everything about every player in college AND overseas. But the ultimate call is his, so credit there.

However, his free agent signings (none) and his trades (insignificant at best) leave you wondering if he knows anything about NBA talent or if he's afraid to pull the trigger.

I'll give him an incomplete on his coach selection. A "C" on his resignings. A "B" on his drafts. An incomplete on his free agent signings and an incomplete on trades.

Don't dislike the guy, don't like him, not sure he makes much of a difference from what I can see.

Well said sir!

[skywalker33]

From what I've read Nelson has been a healthy scratch the past few games, DJ's play has kept him on the bench. 4.5 mil is too much to be paying a 3rd string PG. That 4.5 mil could go towards some rotational talent. I've liked what I've seen out of DJ, rather have him than Jameer.

I was grading TC on his FA signings, Yes Barton was a decent pickup but like I said Barton is an above average 6th man on a bad team. His other signings are iffy at best. Denver was always in the mix for big names in FA or trades in the Melo years, I don't see why that couldn't return if we could finally move past the Gallo/Chandler/Faried "core".

Have to agree that DJ's play is keeping Nelson on the bench, but during his time in OKC, he was on the bench behind a rookie as the 3rd PG. Nobody (at least that I heard of) expected this kind of play out of him. I'd agree that I'd like to free up that $4.5M and just keep DJ until we can draft a backup PG, but as I said earlier Nelson wasn't playing badly before his injury, he was actually playing well IMO.

And you can say we were in the mix for free agents in the Melo years, but not one ever came to Denver, so it's pure speculation that we were "in the mix" for free agents, we just don't have the winning culture yet but we're headed that direction. So far it's been reported we have been in the mix for Love, heard rumors of Griffin so I never believe we are out of reach of trades and I think those core piece players could be part of future trades while we are building towards a winning culture (at least I hope so).

I hear what you're saying and think we want the same thing, but I am drinking the kool-aid thinking we are on the right path, just need to play it out. TC isn't RC Buford, but he isn't Billy King either.

Guys like K-Mart, Camby, Miller, Birman, JR were all free agent pickups during the Melo years, not to mention the trades that brought AI, Billups, Affalo. Almost all those transactions are better than anything TC has done outside the draft. For this team to regain relevancy it has to be built through the draft AND free agency/trades.

K-Mart, Camby and JR were all trades, not free agents. Not one of them came here by their own choice. AI was a huge fail here. Billups and AA were some good acquisitions with limited success. Birdman and Miller were the only FA's to sign and I really wouldn't consider either big-time signings.

And let's be honest, when TC got here, the FO had parted ways with both GK and Ujiri, Iggy turned into the Mole and was on his way out, so tell me what free agent would WANT to sign on to a situation like that ?? Shaw didn't help improve this situation but you really can't blame TC as Shaw was hired a week after he was hired and the interview process with Shaw had already taken place.

Right now, TC, Malone and Josh have really been changing the culture in the Nuggets locker room, the first step to making it inviting for free agents. Winning is the next step, so our only real option has been to build through the draft, which TC has been doing quite well with. Rome wasn't built overnight, with his new extension we'll see if TC can't show those skills ...then we can make proper judgements fairly.

[tstrick33]

Kmart was a Sign and Trade, but he wanted to sign with the Nuggets cuz we were one of the few teams offering him the max. Taking risks and overpaying for guys is probably how we will have to land our next impact FA.

IMO TC has done extremely well for us. He somehow got two firsts out of Mozgov, built a solid core of young prospects through the draft, and signed Gallo, Faried (might have been Ujiri I forget) and Chandler to very tradeable contracts. We also have a ton of draft picks in the next few years. He's positioned us to get back on track.

The Nuggets really don't have any bad contracts on their roster.

We'll be in the conversation with some FA's and I think we might surprise some people. Maybe we overpay for DeRozan or Whiteside.

[skywalker33]

Well, it was speculated the S&T was done for two reasons:

1. Kiki thought the Nets were going to match the offer for K-Mart. The Nets leveraged the 3 (?) 1st round picks out of Denver to get K-Mart, who wasn't worth it but was a "big-name" splash Kiki thought he had to do.

2. K-Mart wanted the most money he could get. I remember hearing K-Mart balking at signing for $84M when he could get the $92M and stay with Kidd in NJ. It wasn't the Nuggets organization or the city of Denver that lured him out West, it was strictly the money.

As for free agents THIS year, I am against it. Our foundation isn't firmly planted yet and bringing in a high priced free agent this year would be foolish towards developing our young players, providing them a crutch so-to-speak. Now NEXT years class is looking even better than this years, we'd have our feet under our own players....seems to me that would be a better time to try and attract free agents ....as long as we improve our record.

[The Rebel]

Derozan and/or Whiteside are horrible fits for this team, with Mudiay at the point and Faried at PF, you really need guys who can shoot at SG/SF/C. Right now more than anything this team needs time to grow together, restructuring the whole roster every 2 years is not going to lead anywhere, and if you bring in either of those 2 than you have to rebuild the whole team again.

As Skywalker said we got Kmart because he was overpaid, Iggy left Denver for less money, the only one that really choose to come to Denver was AI and who knows how much of a choice he had by that point with the 76ers.

That being said TC has been iffy on free agents, it is hard to argue that he has been good since the only free agents he has really brought in were Hickson and Foye. Resigning our own players the only complaint I have on those deals was the Nelson contract, it is way too long.

On the trade front TC has been good, getting 2 1st for Mozgov was a good deal, getting Barton and a 1st for Afflalo was also a good deal, Getting a backup PG and 2 2nds for Foye was great, and I give him a pass for the McGee and a 1st for nothing deal as it was obvious a money move called for by someone else.

He has been great with drafting.

[NuggetsWY]

As for free agents THIS year, I am against it. Our foundation isn't firmly planted yet and bringing in a high priced free agent this year would be foolish towards developing our young players, providing them a crutch so-to-speak. Now NEXT years class is looking even better than this years, we'd have our feet under our own players....seems to me that would be a better time to try and attract free agents ....as long as we improve our record.

Well, I'm not saying it would be stupid to sign free agents this off-season, wait a minute, YES I AM! It would seem ridiculous when we are bringing on how many more rookies? 5 draft picks this year plus Radicevic hanging out in the wind with a real shot at making the team in a year or two. We've got 2 rookies now & 3 second year players and will probably add 3 or more rookies next year. Let's wait and sign free agents when we figure out which rookies are starters and which are bench players and which are busts.