RealGM

Jokic-Lauvergne-Nurkic
Faried-Arthur
Gallinari-Chandler-Sampson
Harris-Barton
Mudiay-Nelson

If I have that right, we'll have 12 players under contract plus 3 1st round picks and 2 2nd round picks. It will be interesting to see what the front office does with that potential of 17 players or 15 if the 2 2nd round picks are draft-and-stash.

Combine-and-trade --- lots of options
Drafting: do we pick "best available" regardless of position? A center? One or two of our current centers could play PF? We've got three SFs but do we pass on a top prospect there? What about PG? Do we pass on a top prospect there?

My wish list? Sign LeBron & Durrant --- or we could keep what we have, pick the three best available at our slots and draft-and-stash the second rounds. But there are a lot of options that wouldn't upset me too much.

Arthur has a PO that, given the money out there he's likely to exercise. That doesn't preclude the Nuggets resigning him, I just hope they recognize he isn't in their long-term plans. Sampson is another that I believe may or may not be here next year, not sure we couldn't find someone in free agency who might have a bit more to offer to the team.

Could easily see the 2nds being stash prospects and perhaps trading one of the mid 1sts for a draft choice down the road, we certainly won't keep all draft picks on our roster. We still have needs so I'd prefer to keep 2 of the 1sts and fill in with quality ( short term ? ) free agents.

Hoping DA leaves as we need to free up the frontcourt.

DJ is an awesome fit on our roster but I think whether he stays or not depends who we draft.

eathb_au wrote:Hoping DA leaves as we need to free up the frontcourt.

DJ is an awesome fit on our roster but I think whether he stays or not depends who we draft.

Can he wait that long before exercising his option?

I'd love to bring back DJ but I don't think that happens unless they can find a taker for Nelson. Can't see them keeping both long-term. Agreed on Arthur though. I like him, but someone in the frontcourt has to go sooner than later. He'll probably be able to get a pay raise somewhere else if he wants it.

It's going to be an interesting draft night. Given this years class, moving up seems to be a real possibility, and we've got more picks than we can keep along with some decent tradeable assets. TC is going to have a lot of options.

RRFB wrote:I'd love to bring back DJ but I don't think that happens unless they can find a taker for Nelson. Can't see them keeping both long-term. Agreed on Arthur though. I like him, but someone in the frontcourt has to go sooner than later. He'll probably be able to get a pay raise somewhere else if he wants it.

It's going to be an interesting draft night. Given this years class, moving up seems to be a real possibility, and we've got more picks than we can keep along with some decent tradeable assets. TC is going to have a lot of options.

Well, the 11th pick netted #16 & #19 so I'd think #15 & #18 could get us somewhere in the 10-12 range but I'm not sure the talent level is that much different, maybe if someone TC likes is falling just don't know that I'd reach. Unless you're going top 2 in this draft I would take two chances over one in finding a top talent, especially when it's 4-7 players difference.

skywalker33 wrote:

RRFB wrote:I'd love to bring back DJ but I don't think that happens unless they can find a taker for Nelson. Can't see them keeping both long-term. Agreed on Arthur though. I like him, but someone in the frontcourt has to go sooner than later. He'll probably be able to get a pay raise somewhere else if he wants it.

It's going to be an interesting draft night. Given this years class, moving up seems to be a real possibility, and we've got more picks than we can keep along with some decent tradeable assets. TC is going to have a lot of options.

Well, the 11th pick netted #16 & #19 so I'd think #15 & #18 could get us somewhere in the 10-12 range but I'm not sure the talent level is that much different, maybe if someone TC likes is falling just don't know that I'd reach. Unless you're going top 2 in this draft I would take two chances over one in finding a top talent, especially when it's 4-7 players difference.

True. This seems like a year where scouting and player evaluation is just as important as your actual draft spot. Just pointing out that TC will have plenty of options and I could see draft night going in a number of different directions.

RRFB wrote:

skywalker33 wrote:

RRFB wrote:I'd love to bring back DJ but I don't think that happens unless they can find a taker for Nelson. Can't see them keeping both long-term. Agreed on Arthur though. I like him, but someone in the frontcourt has to go sooner than later. He'll probably be able to get a pay raise somewhere else if he wants it.

It's going to be an interesting draft night. Given this years class, moving up seems to be a real possibility, and we've got more picks than we can keep along with some decent tradeable assets. TC is going to have a lot of options.

Well, the 11th pick netted #16 & #19 so I'd think #15 & #18 could get us somewhere in the 10-12 range but I'm not sure the talent level is that much different, maybe if someone TC likes is falling just don't know that I'd reach. Unless you're going top 2 in this draft I would take two chances over one in finding a top talent, especially when it's 4-7 players difference.

True. This seems like a year where scouting and player evaluation is just as important as your actual draft spot. Just pointing out that TC will have plenty of options and I could see draft night going in a number of different directions.

We've praised TC for his drafting ability, something inside me says that this will be more of a test for him than ever before...and it's truly a very important draft for this franchise.

I don't see how we we squeeze 3 top 20 picks into that roster as currently constructed...plus sign FA or two. (The Nuggets will HAVE to spend at least 10 Mil to get above the minimum salary floor.)

Powder Blue wrote:I don't see how we we squeeze 3 top 20 picks into that roster as currently constructed...plus sign FA or two. (The Nuggets will HAVE to spend at least 10 Mil to get above the minimum salary floor.)

Wouldn't be too hard, adding the 3 draft picks (at #7 , #15 & #18), salaries would be almost $6M. Add to that if Arthur opts out (likely) then we could resign him or another free agent at $4M+ . Just don't know if we can find one that will be a 1+ 1w/TO.

skywalker33 wrote:

Powder Blue wrote:I don't see how we we squeeze 3 top 20 picks into that roster as currently constructed...plus sign FA or two. (The Nuggets will HAVE to spend at least 10 Mil to get above the minimum salary floor.)

Wouldn't be too hard, adding the 3 draft picks (at #7 , #15 & #18), salaries would be almost $6M. Add to that if Arthur opts out (likely) then we could resign him or another free agent at $4M+ . Just don't know if we can find one that will be a 1+ 1w/TO.

That's assuming that they want 9 guys on the roster with 3 seasons or less of experience, not sure you can develop that many young players....while still playing the core vets. Those 3 firsts would need minutes to develop, same as Mudiay, Harris and Jokic are getting this year.

Powder Blue wrote:

skywalker33 wrote:

Powder Blue wrote:I don't see how we we squeeze 3 top 20 picks into that roster as currently constructed...plus sign FA or two. (The Nuggets will HAVE to spend at least 10 Mil to get above the minimum salary floor.)

Wouldn't be too hard, adding the 3 draft picks (at #7 , #15 & #18), salaries would be almost $6M. Add to that if Arthur opts out (likely) then we could resign him or another free agent at $4M+ . Just don't know if we can find one that will be a 1+ 1w/TO.

That's assuming that they want 9 guys on the roster with 3 seasons or less of experience, not sure you can develop that many young players....while still playing the core vets. Those 3 firsts would need minutes to develop, same as Mudiay, Harris and Jokic are getting this year.

That's a good point, but we had a lot of injuries throughout the season where a guy like Jakaar could get some PT, surely a 1st could do that better. And Mozgov got traded because Nurkic showed promise in limited time, that could happen again.

Perhaps we have three (1st & 2 2nds) draft and stashes this year. I wouldn't even be surprised with a trade-up or trade-out on one or more of the 1sts. Even so I see your point. Keeping all three would also limit our roster flexibility.

Did you guys see the reports about DJ and Arthur?

Looks like DJ wants to stay in Denver and Arthur really likes this team and it's future.

DJ - http://milehighsports.com/d-j-augustin-open-to-re-signing-with-the-denver-nuggets/
Arthur - https://t.co/Yi9CZ5rsC5

I saw the reports, and if they both want to stay then there just are not enough roster spots for the picks and those 2. There is going to have to be a roster consolidation trade at some point, or the picks will be traded for future picks or used on stashes.

Personally I would like to see them use one or two of the later picks and Joffrey for them to go out and eiher trade up into the top 7 or 8 or to go out and get a really good young SF. Then use the cap space to go out and get a Starting SG.

Do you really want to bench Harris at this point? He's is getting his offensive game together, is on his way of becoming one of elite perimeter defender in this league. We found something in him and I'd definitely not getting out there and overpay someone like DeRozan or Beal.

If you really want to get this team to the next level, get an elite PF.

Would love to keep Arthur though. All you can ask for in a rotation big. Great guy.

skywalker33 wrote:We've praised TC for his drafting ability, something inside me says that this will be more of a test for him than ever before...and it's truly a very important draft for this franchise.

So very true - this draft might be one of the most important in the history of the Nuggets based on the current league configuration. It could make or break a GM's reputation/career. He can go in so many directions.

Trade Gallinari or Faried?? Chandler's market is probably low because of the injury. Let Arthur leave? Keep him? Will DJ & Jameer both be kept as backup PGs? Five draft picks this year and two next year; keep them? Trade them? Combine them? Push hard to get two high picks this year at the expense of multiple picks and/or players? TC's head has to be swimming. It'll be fascinating to see what he does but he can't do much until he sees how the ping pong balls bounce.

I was of the ilk that Harris would become a strong 6th man candidate as well, but he's played really well all year, has consistently improved too. While I don't see him becoming a 22pt+ a night scorer, I can see him developing into an 17-20pt guy who plays great defense. Tony Allen type with better scoring ability.

Well, I could live with 17-20 per night because of his defense. Now, if every starter came up with 15+ per night ...
I'm still a fan of Faried & Barton coming off the bench - energy for the first two guys off the bench can be VALUABLE!!! Not sure Harris is that kind of guy, but starting or off the bench, I want Harris on our team, that's for sure!!

I feel like we've been saying this for a long time, but they're going to have to make a consolidation trade within the next year. With Chandler coming back, I don't see where there's room in the rotation for one rookie, let alone two or three. The good news (or bad news?) is that one of Gallo or Chandler will always be hurt. I think that's more than safe to say at this point. So whoever they draft at the wing, should get a decent crack at a few minutes. But outside of that, I don't see a single open minute at any other position barring other injuries.

I agree with those saying this summer will be a big test for TC. I'm excited to see what happens.

Gallo or Chandler always being hurt isn't good news, even if it opens up rotations for a rookie.