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Despite the shocking improvement of Malik Beasley is connected with unexpected opportunity opened after Will Barton injury (and Gary Harris lately), his breakthrough is obvious and above all expectations. His defense is good, offensive efficiency is amazing (TS%), and Beasley is one of the league-best three-point shooters this season.

Two things:

1) Definitely making the most of the opportunities give the circumstances

2) He has moved up on the resign list IMO.

Yep, definitely moved up the list. Personally I was never in favour of moving Barton on, but the emergence of Beasley means that we really wouldn't feel the loss in our rotation as much now with Beasley proving that he's got something to give.

We can do a lot with a rotation of Murray, Morris, Beasley, Craig and Harris through those G, SG and SF positions.

A somewhat interesting rabbit trail, but with Gary Harris becoming a bit injury-prone, would it ever be considered to put Beasley in starting lineup and have Harris come off the bench ?? Beasley has better offense/a bit less defense while Harris' could be more efficient off the bench while extending his career with less injuries. Another alternative is to trade Harris because of his salary cap numbers.

Just some forum fodder....

skywalker33 wrote:A somewhat interesting rabbit trail, but with Gary Harris becoming a bit injury-prone, would it ever be considered to put Beasley in starting lineup and have Harris come off the bench ?? Beasley has better offense/a bit less defense while Harris' could be more efficient off the bench while extending his career with less injuries. Another alternative is to trade Harris because of his salary cap numbers.

Just some forum fodder....

Well, you know I've been a Beasley fan but I really like him off the bench. He's a nice player to have when Jokic is off the floor. I think Harris is great with Jokic, at least he has been. But then again, Beasley seems more active so he might fit even better than Harris if he's plaing next to Jokic.

NuggetsWY wrote:

skywalker33 wrote:A somewhat interesting rabbit trail, but with Gary Harris becoming a bit injury-prone, would it ever be considered to put Beasley in starting lineup and have Harris come off the bench ?? Beasley has better offense/a bit less defense while Harris' could be more efficient off the bench while extending his career with less injuries. Another alternative is to trade Harris because of his salary cap numbers.

Just some forum fodder....

Well, you know I've been a Beasley fan but I really like him off the bench. He's a nice player to have when Jokic is off the floor. I think Harris is great with Jokic, at least he has been. But then again, Beasley seems more active so he might fit even better than Harris if he's plaing next to Jokic.

Only reason I bring it up is because Harris is becoming a bit injury-prone. He has averaged only about a 63 game season since his sophomore year and he's off to another one of those seasons this year.

Beasley is answering the big question: Murray, Beasley and Juancho all come to FA at the same time. If we can only sign two, looks to me like Juancho will be moving on.

skywalker33 wrote:Beasley is answering the big question: Murray, Beasley and Juancho all come to FA at the same time. If we can only sign two, looks to me like Juancho will be moving on.

Depending on their prices on 2020 summer. Remember, just two months ago Beasley value was close to zero and looks him now. Also, max deals which get Wiggins and Otto Porter (even Devin Booker case have some doubts) tell me that max-deal will be Murray price, and two max-deal players are not easy to be solved.

THE J0KER wrote:

skywalker33 wrote:Beasley is answering the big question: Murray, Beasley and Juancho all come to FA at the same time. If we can only sign two, looks to me like Juancho will be moving on.

Depending on their prices on 2020 summer. Remember, just two months ago Beasley value was close to zero and looks him now. Also, max deals which get Wiggins and Otto Porter (even Devin Booker case have some doubts) tell me that max-deal will be Murray price, and two max-deal players are not easy to be solved.

Plumlee and Millsap contracts expire in 2020 (at least right now) so it seems we have the cap under control. Is it easy ?? No but not impossible. Whoever we sign, I was speaking purely the pecking order on which our RFA's will be prioritized,

skywalker33 wrote:

THE J0KER wrote:

skywalker33 wrote:Beasley is answering the big question: Murray, Beasley and Juancho all come to FA at the same time. If we can only sign two, looks to me like Juancho will be moving on.

Depending on their prices on 2020 summer. Remember, just two months ago Beasley value was close to zero and looks him now. Also, max deals which get Wiggins and Otto Porter (even Devin Booker case have some doubts) tell me that max-deal will be Murray price, and two max-deal players are not easy to be solved.

Plumlee and Millsap contracts expire in 2020 (at least right now) so it seems we have the cap under control. Is it easy ?? No but not impossible. Whoever we sign, I was speaking purely the pecking order on which our RFA's will be prioritized,

Beasley has a long way to go to approach a max deal, he has been amazing this season, but teams are going to want to see more than 30 games before they even start to think about a big contract.

I personally think it is time to move on from Barton and Craig opening up the minutes for Beasley and more for Juancho.

To answer your previous question, I like the chemistry and defense that Harris has with the starters. I do not think it is a fluke that our defense has sucked since Harris got hurt, while Beasley maybe our 2nd best perimeter defender Harris is our best perimeter defender and we need him especially to start games.

When I say that it is hard (for management) to solve two max-contract players I have Jokic and Murray in my mind. I think we can hold Beasley for Barton-like contract in 2020, but in that case, Barton must go before that, we have no money for two "guard-forward" role players. To be honest, I'm already more for Beasley than for Barton even if they have the same salary. Beasley is more efficient, and more fit the Denver (Jokic) system.

THE J0KER wrote:When I say that it is hard (for management) to solve two max-contract players I have Jokic and Murray in my mind. I think we can hold Beasley for Barton-like contract in 2020, but in that case, Barton must go before that, we have no money for two "guard-forward" role players. To be honest, I'm already more for Beasley than for Barton even if they have the same salary. Beasley is more efficient, and more fit the Denver (Jokic) system.

2 max deals is actually not a big deal, we have that right now basically with Millsap and Jokic. The big issue is the contracts for lesser players once you get to 3 max deals. If we can hold it to just Murray and Jokic and spread the other money around than we can have great depth and some very good players, but it will mean never getting that 3rd star unless we develop him which is possible.

What a game from easily Beasley, he's proving to himself that he's got what it takes to become a very good player!

I complained loudly because of Monte Morris is not chosen for Rising Stars Game this week, not even as substitute. But Malik Beasley also should be mentioned, he arguably deserved to be at 3pt shooting contest this year. His 3pt shooting improvement is amazing this season. In a rookie and sophomore season, Malik never has a single game where he scored more than 2 threes and 3pt% percentage is under 35% both seasons. But this season he averages over 2 threes per game with over 43%, and in past 18 games Beasley only once scored less than 2 threes (vs @Utah where he played 7 minutes only) and his 3pt numbers in these 18 games (since January 10th) are sensational 3.2 per game with 50% 3pt%, only Warriors Klay Thompson can be compared to him in this period of time!

Malik Beasley was an absolute beast in the G-League in 2016-2017. 46% FG at 15 shots per game with 37% 3pt at 5 per game and 89% FT with 4 per game. He also had 7.6 boards.

Last year he averaged 23 mpg in 81 games while shooting 48-40-85. Probably the number one reason he can't break into the starting lineup is because of his defense. With his athleticism, you'd expect better defense.

Does he get a new contract or extension? That's not clear. If he doesn't, and he has poor defense this year ... ... then again, there are plenty of NBA players with poor defense - but those are seldom considered elite players and Beasley has the natural ability to reach for elite status if he chooses. How far can he go? As far as his desire takes him.

The most impressive thing about Beasley was that he scored 16 PPG on .70 TS% as a starter. While it was only 18 games that would have put him as the best shooter in the league last year. That is insane production from a guy seeing his 1st meaningful minutes and getting his 1st chance to start.

If his defense improved to even above average, then I think you trade Harris and others for an upgrade at SF. I believe that while everybody is hyping Bol Bol and MPJ, Beasley showed last year that he has the talent to be an all star type of player. Even a small step as a scorer and a big step up on defense and he is a 20 PPG scorer with above average defense on great shooting percentages. HE may end up the 3rd best player on this team, but that would be because Jokic is already a great player and Murray appears headed that way. A big 3 like that puts us firmly in contention long term.

I think if Beasley scores like he did last year than teams are going to offer him a big contract. If he adds defense which he has steadily gotten better at the last 3 years, he likely will get the max deal from someone. If he doesn't step up on defense than the contract he signs will be a bad deal, if he does than we have to move Harris for a starting caliber SF immediately and pay Beasley.

Placing Beasley into the starting lineup would change many dynamics for this team. Beasley is a better scorer than Harris but not as good of a defender. Feels like the Nuggets could utilize a faster pace with Malik in the SL which would definitely work towards our advantage. It would also place a stronger defensive lineup from off the bench with Harris/Grant/Plumlee even Morris and Porter could shut down the oppositions 2nd team while our 1st team wears down the first unit.

Seems like a plan I'd want to look into.

skywalker33 wrote:Placing Beasley into the starting lineup would change many dynamics for this team. Beasley is a better scorer than Harris but not as good of a defender. Feels like the Nuggets could utilize a faster pace with Malik in the SL which would definitely work towards our advantage. It would also place a stronger defensive lineup from off the bench with Harris/Grant/Plumlee even Morris and Porter could shut down the oppositions 2nd team while our 1st team wears down the first unit.

Seems like a plan I'd want to look into.

My first response was: "We have enough scoring, we need defense." Then I looked and last year we were 20th in overall points.

I'd still like more focus on defense. So if Beasley ... and then Barton ... after all we have plenty of better defenders.

I don't know if it has been commented, but Beasley turned down a 30Mx3 offer before signing with Klutch Sports.

Deadline to reach an agreement is 21st October. I am not any optimistic atm

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Manolito wrote:I don't know if it has been commented, but Beasley turned down a 30Mx3 offer before signing with Klutch Sports.

Deadline to reach an agreement is 21st October. I am not any optimistic atm

I'm not surprised he turned this down. He believes in himself and even if he has a bad year, he'll still get close to this amount. I'm looking forward to watching him prove he deserves more.