RealGM

As I understand it, the Nuggets free agents and non-guaranteed contracts include:

Lauvergne
Miller
Sampson
Toupane
Augustin

Which do you hope the Nuggets will keep?
Which do you expect the Nuggets to keep?

I'm hoping and expecting them to keep Lauvergne.
Can we keep Miller as a shooting coach?

Nothing against the rest, well, no much, but we need some open slots to sign some free agents to fill salary cap floor space and for rookies.

I think Miller is back in some capacity, reportedly he has a good relationship with people in the front office, which was the only reason he came here last year.

Unless the Nuggets trade Lauvergne I would be shocked if he was cut.

Augustin I think they want to keep, but unless they trade Nelson than I do not see him sticking around.

Toupane and Sampson are basically salary fillers unless there is a big deal that creates roster space and an opening for a 3rd SF.

Sampson's no-trade clause expired on May 22, so he may be part of a future deal.

The Rebel wrote:Augustin I think they want to keep, but unless they trade Nelson than I do not see him sticking around.

Any other year, I'd agree with this. But with the cap rising, they're gonna have to spend a good amount just to reach the floor. I think it'd be worth re-signing Augustin and figuring out what to do with Nelson later on. Worst case scenario, he takes a leadership role from the bench like Mike Miller had. Or maybe they can find a contender to take him at the deadline like they did with Foye. Either way, I'll be disappointed if they let Augustin walk. He was such a good fit and helped a lot with the young bigs in the PnR.

Depending on what happens at the draft, I wouldn't be surprised to see them keep one of Miller/Toupane/Sampson. I heard an interview with Mike Miller that sounded like he wasn't ready to retire. If no one else is willing to give him a chance, maybe he'd take a coaching job. Otherwise, I wouldn't be totally against bringing him back if there's an open roster spot. Jokic has said Miller was huge help in getting adjusted to the NBA lifestyle.

Nelson is on the books for 2 more years at 4.5 per, they need to move him if they keep DJ. Even with the cap rising it's still terrible cap management to have your 3rd PG earning nearly 5 million. Less than a year later that was a bad signing. Miller I'm ok with, let the other two walk. We're not going to get anywhere with 10 players that need development.

RRFB wrote:

The Rebel wrote:Augustin I think they want to keep, but unless they trade Nelson than I do not see him sticking around.

Any other year, I'd agree with this. But with the cap rising, they're gonna have to spend a good amount just to reach the floor. I think it'd be worth re-signing Augustin and figuring out what to do with Nelson later on. Worst case scenario, he takes a leadership role from the bench like Mike Miller had. Or maybe they can find a contender to take him at the deadline like they did with Foye. Either way, I'll be disappointed if they let Augustin walk. He was such a good fit and helped a lot with the young bigs in the PnR.

The problem you have is that Augustin is an unrestricted free agent, if he does not feel like there is a spot for him then I doubt he stays. You also have to get Nelson to buy into that leadership role of being on the bench and only playing a few games here and there, and from what I have read Nelson wants no part of that, which is part of the reason we ended up getting him here. I just do not see both happening, so they either have to trade Nelson by the draft or shortly into free agency as Augustin appears to be on several team's wish list as their backup PG.

At the end of the day, Nelson signed to a 3 year contract and if he's not good enough to out Augustin as the backup, then he needs to accept his role as third string.

eathb_au wrote:At the end of the day, Nelson signed to a 3 year contract and if he's not good enough to out Augustin as the backup, then he needs to accept his role as third string.

He'd ask to be traded, his ego hasn't aged along with his performance/age

skywalker33 wrote:

eathb_au wrote:At the end of the day, Nelson signed to a 3 year contract and if he's not good enough to out Augustin as the backup, then he needs to accept his role as third string.

He'd ask to be traded, his ego hasn't aged along with his performance/age

Loved Augustin - his style was more in-line with Mudiay's (my opinion) and I think Mudiay benefited from watching DJ up close. Nelson is a more traditional pass-first PG and I think Mudiay is going to be a PG that can make great passes AND score too. But I'm OK with letting DJ go elsewhere, if he can get more playing time and it makes him happy - he deserves that opportunity.

Nelson has been a true professional and helped the Nuggets develop a new culture in a hurry and I'm OK with trading him, he's earned that if he wants and I'm just not sure I care what we get back for him. Backup PGs don't have high value and I doubt he'll be a starter for anyone (except maybe the 76ers).

A rookie backup PG or better, a rookie combo guard works for me. The Nuggets can pickup a third PG from D-league or overseas fairly easily. If the Nuggets don't pickup a rookie PG then keeping Nelson makes sense or trading Nelson and signing Augustin, either one. The worst option from my perspective would be to sign Jeremy Lin or Delladova plus add a rookie PG. That poor rookie would never get playing time - on the other hand, those are both PGs that are scorers and taller than average so they match-up well with Mudiay's style (as I see it).

Jamal Murray^ combo guard you're talking about

SlayOrNay wrote:Jamal Murray^ combo guard you're talking about

He'd be my first pick as a combo guard, unless I picked Dunn, but maybe it should be Dejonte Murray or Baldwin. I'd expect the later two to available at #15. I just know that personally I'd rather have Hield than any of them with Jamal Murray a very close second.

Any one know what the nuggets want to do with Sampson and Toupane? I think we should Play them in the summer league and tell them straight up. "One of you will make this team next season, depending on how you play here will help us determine who we chose to stay." A little friendly compitition never hurt anyone lol

Drafting Murray and Beasley, I cant see a UFA signing to stay here after those selections. The only player i expect back from the original list is King Joffrey

I can see Augustine back. He fits well and adds a scoring punch to the bench but that means Nelson likely would be traded. The downside to Augustine is defense and with Nelson you do see some defensive effort.

These next moves are about money. The Nuggets are so far below the cap floor that they need some veteran players without long term commitments to fill the roster out without losing the ability to make a big move, if one presents.