Nuggets Free Agents

[NuggetsWY]

I believe the Nuggets have seven free agents this year. Which FAs do the Nuggets re-sign? How many do they re-sign?

I made the poll so you can change your vote and you can select up to seven.

I did not add a zero option - sorry about that. That seems highly unlikely but feel free to disagree with me.

[NuggetsWY]

I'll say no on Millsap - because I think someone else will offer too much for the Nuggets to match.

I think the Nuggets will make a serious effort to sign Plumlee - but I wouldn't be shocked if someone offered too much for the Nuggets to match.

I do believe the Nuggets will prioritize Grant and sign him.

It seems likely the Nuggets will re-sign Craig - mostly because of his defense and because his price will be easy to handle.

I do not believe Vonleh or Daniels will be a priority, but their salaries are minimal and they'd make nice deep-bench options. Will they be on our roster next year? I don't think so.

Dozier is a real question mark. I like his game but he's stuck behind Murray & Morris. I'd like to see him back, especially since all three of our PGs can play SG to some degree. Will he be back? Hmmm, I think so - I hope so.

[skywalker33]

Millsap - Decent chance but only at vet minimum. May get a bigger offer but we are close to a championship. Age a factor.

Plumlee - Probably his last shot at a bigger deal, will sign elsewhere.

Grant - Our PFOTF is here, good defender and can score in Joker-offense. Salary cap issues will keep his raise down to $12-14Myr.

Craig - Brushing against the Luxury tax, he may be the one sacrificed if Barton or Harris isn't moved.

Dozier - I believe he is already signed for next year when they got rid of his 2-way status.

Vonleh - I like his game but don't think he'll be back.

Daniels - Can shoot the 3-pt but he'll be deep on the bench. He and/or Vonlah replaced by our 1st rder this year.

[TunaFish]

So much about this virus and whether it will be brought under control will be a factor for every team. If you can't fill your arenas then how do you add to your salary structure. More likely you will be cutting salary.

Players may have to accept reality and take less next season. If they don't then I expect teams to take a hard line.

That said, I think they will bring back Craig, Morris and Plumlee. Grant will be a challenge.

I think Millsap will be gone but I thought that last year so I have little confidence in that prediction.

Donzier and Vonleh are maybes.

[Alatan]

Millsap is a good vet but he has gotten really long in the tooth and other teams with lots of cap space might want him.
Plumdog is not spectacular but centers are plenty to go around so if the cap squeezes him we might be able to afford him for a couple more years.
Im not that happy with Grant. Not a bad player, but too much of the wrong type of tweener. If we could get him for under 13/year id resign him but since he is considered a 3nD guy some team will probably offer him more and id let him go. If he was able to play the 3 better and guard smalls id resign him instantly but he is not so im not that worried about him leaving.
Craig is a nice specialist from the bench and who knows, maybe he develops a decent shot from 3. If we can get him for around 5-7 a year id think about keeping him.
Vonleh, Daniels and Dozier are just placeholders in my opinion. We have better players than them to start and the bench should be for good vets or young guys.

[skywalker33]

Wow, I think you're over-estimating TC and under-estimating Grant. No way I'm paying Craig $5-7M, his shooting is way too inconsistent, $3M is as high as I'd go there. I'd like to see Gran at the $13M range too, we'll have to see if he'll accept something in that range. I agree with Millsap and Plumlee. I could see Daniels getting signed, he's shown well over these scrimmages. And I also think Dozier will be on this team, he's got talent, just needs time to put it all together...and you do need some low-priced players who can play to fill in for others, he can be that guy.

[NuggetsWY]

Millsap is a good vet but he has gotten really long in the tooth and other teams with lots of cap space might want him.
Plumdog is not spectacular but centers are plenty to go around so if the cap squeezes him we might be able to afford him for a couple more years.
Im not that happy with Grant. Not a bad player, but too much of the wrong type of tweener. If we could get him for under 13/year id resign him but since he is considered a 3nD guy some team will probably offer him more and id let him go. If he was able to play the 3 better and guard smalls id resign him instantly but he is not so im not that worried about him leaving.
Craig is a nice specialist from the bench and who knows, maybe he develops a decent shot from 3. If we can get him for around 5-7 a year id think about keeping him.
Vonleh, Daniels and Dozier are just placeholders in my opinion. We have better players than them to start and the bench should be for good vets or young guys.

Millsap would be nice to keep, but a one or two year contract for no more than $10m - and I don't expect him to accept. I think he's worth more to some other teams. I love him on our team. His contributions make a big difference and aren't always seen, but he's not our long-term PF IMO.

Grant worked best in OKC when he was shooting corner 3s and running the baseline. His defense is undervalued IMO. Think about facing the Clippers or Lakers with LeBron and Kahwi and George. While no one can stop them, Barton and the rest of our guards are going to be quite ineffective. Craig can slow them down. Porter might be able to in a year or two, but our best hope against those teams is Millsap & Grant at forward together - just my opinion.

Craig is a nice to have bench player - but not for every game. Call him a defensive specialist that occasionally gets hot from 3 - that's his history and he's been around long enough that major changes probably can't be expected.

I love Dozier's game but his shooting is lacking. He could still develop a better shot. Morris is the reserve guard we need to keep.

Role players can be acquired - especially if you have a solid core. With Jokic & Murray and hopefully Bol and/or Porter along with Grant - the rest of the pieces should be easy to fill in.

[Alatan]

Millsap is a good vet but he has gotten really long in the tooth and other teams with lots of cap space might want him.
Plumdog is not spectacular but centers are plenty to go around so if the cap squeezes him we might be able to afford him for a couple more years.
Im not that happy with Grant. Not a bad player, but too much of the wrong type of tweener. If we could get him for under 13/year id resign him but since he is considered a 3nD guy some team will probably offer him more and id let him go. If he was able to play the 3 better and guard smalls id resign him instantly but he is not so im not that worried about him leaving.
Craig is a nice specialist from the bench and who knows, maybe he develops a decent shot from 3. If we can get him for around 5-7 a year id think about keeping him.
Vonleh, Daniels and Dozier are just placeholders in my opinion. We have better players than them to start and the bench should be for good vets or young guys.

Millsap would be nice to keep, but a one or two year contract for no more than $10m - and I don't expect him to accept. I think he's worth more to some other teams. I love him on our team. His contributions make a big difference and aren't always seen, but he's not our long-term PF IMO.

Grant worked best in OKC when he was shooting corner 3s and running the baseline. His defense is undervalued IMO. Think about facing the Clippers or Lakers with LeBron and Kahwi and George. While no one can stop them, Barton and the rest of our guards are going to be quite ineffective. Craig can slow them down. Porter might be able to in a year or two, but our best hope against those teams is Millsap & Grant at forward together - just my opinion.

Craig is a nice to have bench player - but not for every game. Call him a defensive specialist that occasionally gets hot from 3 - that's his history and he's been around long enough that major changes probably can't be expected.

I love Dozier's game but his shooting is lacking. He could still develop a better shot. Morris is the reserve guard we need to keep.

Role players can be acquired - especially if you have a solid core. With Jokic & Murray and hopefully Bol and/or Porter along with Grant - the rest of the pieces should be easy to fill in.

Yeah i agree on most things except Grant. He is the best wing defender we have currently. But that doesnt make him truly good. As i said he is a bad kind of tweener. Doesnt really have the foot speed or skill to defend the faster players and doesnt have the strength to defend bigger players. He is nice as a help defender but underwhelming as a primary one. Since i project that our team will have more trouble defending the perimeter than the interior, Id rather have someone in the mold of Garry Harris but bigger/longer as our wing defender. I know its too much to ask but tying our selves to Grant is setting a defensive cap on our team.
If he accepted something up to 13 million id keep him as placeholder starter and then a wing of the bench but i doubt that he will do that.
Oh yeah. Id also like to add that im not worried about the vets leaving. Our core is actually pretty young so we have plenty of time to chase the ring. The current team is not really a contender as is. It might actually benefit us to play more young guys and even take a swipe at the 2021 or 2022 lottery since there are some nice players in there. The 2021 offseason is also pretty big. i doubt that we will catch a major fish but we might get some nice complimentary players.

[THE J0KER]

Grant have the best chances for re-signing IMO. He looks to me like a perfect fit last summer but didn't prove it, which is maybe good on the other hand, because his price will not be too high for our tight cap. Grant's price will also not be low, but Connely proved in Plumlee and Barton cases that he is ready even to overpay the player to defend his previous decision, and Denver paid expiring Grant with 1st round pick.

Plumlee is good enough to be a starter in several NBA teams, and this time we have no cap space to pay 15/min backup player as 25-30/min starter. So, I see him going to a new team where he will play (and being paid) 25+ minutes starter role.

The only way I see Millsap stays is his own perception of his legacy on how to finish his career. If he decides to choose less money and a smaller role, but participating in an exciting Nuggets project, just great. But if he decides another way, to take some better offer with bigger money and role, nobody can blame him. I see we send him some offer, and I see some other team(s) send him a better offer, so let's wait to see what will happen after.

Craig case is also determined with the price and his ambition but after Beasley and Juancho instant success in Minnesota, I guess many in NBA thinks that Nuggets bench players underperform due to lack of playing time and a real chance, and is worth to gamble with a small stake (but still too big for us to match). He is not a big magnet to anyone, but still, the 2020 FA market is far weaker than 2019, so just like in Plumlee and Millsap case I see better offer for Craig from some other team.

About Dozier, Vonleh, and Daniels cases are too early to speak, because their destiny with Nuggets depending on their display in August, and if no some unexpected injury, nobody of them will get too many minutes.

[The Rebel]

I think Grant is going to be the 1st and biggest priority. If MPJ is your answer at SF, than you have to have a defensive guy that can defend good SF/PF types that play more perimeter. Jokic is okay against the guys like Aldridge but he has no chance against the smaller quicker perimeter types, and I doubt MPJ is ever going to be a great defender. So Grant is a long term fit.

I think they would like to bring back on of Millsap or Plumlee, and in this market this summer who knows if they can, but I think based on the pre-covid market they both get too much money.

I think Craig gets overpaid by someone which is fine with me. I think he has become overrated as all hell, and defensive specialists with a very limited offensive skill set seem to be available in the Gleague and internationally.

Daniels I think will go elsewhere, he is showing good enough skills that he some team with no depth at SG will bring him in and make him the 9th or 10th man type. I think he will take the opportunity.

I think Dozier is already set to come back.

I also think we keep Vonleh. There have been rumors we tried to get him from New York and of course got him from Minny. He will likely get another deal for the minimum, and I think he would be fine as the 5th/6th big.

The big question is do we use the MLE as we will need at least another proven backup big?

[skywalker33]

I am very surprised so many see Mason Plumlee as a high probability of returning, to me he seems unlikely to hold his mins on the court given his current salary and vet minimum seems unlikely too. We could find a cheaper backup, play Grant perhaps even Bol for limited mins at C but I would not be unhappy to see his lack of free throw shooting go bye-bye.

I definitely feel we're going to resign Grant as the starting PF while MPJ is already pushing Barton out of the starting SF next year but does he go to the bench or take over Harris' SG position ?? Where does TC fit in ?? Deep on the bench or let to test the free agency ?

I'd also bring up Bol's development, does he play PF, C or SF or all of the above ? If PF, do we say goodbye to Millsap and his defense and if SF (he has the shooting ability IMO), again what happens to TC ?

The answers may be determined by this year's playoff performances, could impact who gets traded and what positions we're looking at in the 2020 draft.

[THE J0KER]

I think this is a better place to continue offseason discussions than some temporarily game thread.

Beal dream is gone, we can not afford 4 max players. I don´t think Hield is a solution for the SG, we don´t need any 20shots-per-game-player with little D, additionally he is really overpaid. Actually GHarris is the perfect fit for our current roster, it is a pity he apparently quit playing basketball two seasons ago.

I agree with your Bol Bol trade suggestion. Mid term, either him and/or Morris should leave, we can not extend both contracts and Grant has a higher priority. This summer, Barton + Morris + Bol Bol + 1RP should land a very good 3D player with a reasonable salary....but I don´t can´t think of any player with that profile

Cleaning cap from Harris and Barton contracts and without re-signing Millsap and Plumlee we can take Beal (Harris+Barton+Bol+FRP is a fair price), because MPJ is still under a rookie contract. With Beal arrival, Nuggets should wait until the last moment to re-sign MPJ max (not year early like in Murray case), and Kroenke family should rethink their Nuggets legacy and take some luxury tax hit after signing MPJ. Some small-market franchise is once in 50 years in the position to create a true superteam, and out of three potential superteam seasons (2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23), only the last ones (2022-23) will break significantly luxury tax. In 2023-24 Jokic is available for super-max and Beal will be a free agent, so it will be the end of the big-4 story. If Nuggets grab one or even two rings in these three seasons, all sacrifices are worthy of that, and Jokic, MPJ, and Murray should stay after 2023 too. Also, super-teams have big commercial success (look at Cleveland and GSW-Oakland cases) so paying some extra tax is not that painful for the owners if other incomes go high.

I do not at all understand "don't want Plumlee back at any price." He is a very good backup center. I can understand thinking money would better be spent elsewhere, but he is a good player who fits well with Denver's style of play.

The problem with Plumlee is that he is not a backup center but decent starter level center, the elite ones in the "working horse" category. Once our salary cap is in the position to pay the price of a starter-centers to the backup-center which will have just 15-20 mpg because team's franchise player is another center. Also, FO wanted to defend its controversial Nurkic deal. I think maximum we can pay this offseason for a 15mpg backup center is 20/3, and Plumlee price is for sure higher.


And in the end, I want to explain why I think just a few bubble minutes were enough to rocket Bol Bol value into late lottery pick already. First and most important he shows he is already healthy. MPJ started to prove his true values, Beasley rise in Minnesota, so everybody now praises Denver draft picks, there is no more "they are so lucky with Jokic", and similar to MPJ original Bol draft projections are way higher. And very important, Kristaps Porzingis started more and more during bubble restart to prove himself to doubters, and he is with reason player with which Bol Bol is compared. If we wait next season trade-deadline with Bol taking much bigger playing time his asset value would be I guess in TOP10 draft pick level. Even during this offseason, some desperate front offices of rebuilding teams scared from the unique 2020 draft which estimation is so damaged by coronavirus pause, maybe will be ready to pay a big price for Bol. With not signing a rookie deal with Bol but a two-way contract, I think Bol will be an easier target from other teams, and with superb MPJ-Jokic frontcourt line, we need some forward defensive specialist (Grant?), and more need some extra quality to the backcourt. I'm personally impressed with many Bol Bol skills, but I think his already decent market value should be translated into the player which profile we more need now or in the near future.

[The Rebel]

I am very surprised so many see Mason Plumlee as a high probability of returning, to me he seems unlikely to hold his mins on the court given his current salary and vet minimum seems unlikely too. We could find a cheaper backup, play Grant perhaps even Bol for limited mins at C but I would not be unhappy to see his lack of free throw shooting go bye-bye.

I definitely feel we're going to resign Grant as the starting PF while MPJ is already pushing Barton out of the starting SF next year but does he go to the bench or take over Harris' SG position ?? Where does TC fit in ?? Deep on the bench or let to test the free agency ?

I'd also bring up Bol's development, does he play PF, C or SF or all of the above ? If PF, do we say goodbye to Millsap and his defense and if SF (he has the shooting ability IMO), again what happens to TC ?

The answers may be determined by this year's playoff performances, could impact who gets traded and what positions we're looking at in the 2020 draft.

I have made no secret of the fact that I think Barton and Plumlee need to be gone, and it all comes down to their performance in the playoffs last year. It was not our starters that let us down against Portland, it was the fact that once Jokic and Murray went to the bench we seemed to lose 10 points. I do think they both were very good guys to have in the lockerroom with all the young guys, but I think it is time we move on from both of them.

If this time in the bubble has shown us anything it is how bad we need perimeter defense, even after the injury Harris has shown that he is by far our best perimeter defender.

I was more impressed with Bates-diop and Dozier than I was with Bol last night. I think if you use KBD at SF and PF for the defensive specialist off the bench and Dozier at PG and SG as the defensive specialist than we have no need to bring back Craig. Vonleh is a big body and good enough to cover the big PFs/ If you add in Cancar than I think we have the young guys to cover backup SF and PF, I would not mind finding a veteran small forward to add in the mix.

The big question to me is backup SG and backup C. While Bol can play spot minutes at Center, I am not ready to hand that job to anybody, and we need a shooter off the bench in the backcourt.

[skywalker33]

If this time in the bubble has shown us anything it is how bad we need perimeter defense, even after the injury Harris has shown that he is by far our best perimeter defender.

Harris is a quality defender, but not a $19M per year defender. He has the ability to produce on offense, as evidence of his production 2 years ago, just needs to regain some confidence along with his stroke.

I was more impressed with Bates-diop and Dozier than I was with Bol last night. I think if you use KBD at SF and PF for the defensive specialist off the bench and Dozier at PG and SG as the defensive specialist than we have no need to bring back Craig. Vonleh is a big body and good enough to cover the big PFs/ If you add in Cancar than I think we have the young guys to cover backup SF and PF, I would not mind finding a veteran small forward to add in the mix.

I really liked KBD in the 2018 draft, he provided OSU with a well-rounded 2-way game. He obviously needs more development time but who better to help him regain and develop that form than Malone. Dozier is already on his way, he's ready to be on a quality bench, could even sub in as a starter IMO. Can't say I'm high on Cancar, seems like JAG to me.

Bol will be a steal within two years, but I could just as easily seem him as trade bait (not wanting that but could see it happen). We could get some serious draft ROI if he's traded, his perceived value seems to be on the rise around the league right now. I like his versatility as I think he could put mins at C, PF and maybe even some SF

The big question to me is backup SG and backup C. While Bol can play spot minutes at Center, I am not ready to hand that job to anybody, and we need a shooter off the bench in the backcourt.

Totally agree here especially if Barton is traded away. A big 3-D wing who can score would be a premimum to bring in. My wish would be to trade Barton and our 1st to move up for Vassell. As for C, Vonlah or a MLE free agent can come in as a backup C/PF but I'd like to keep Bol in that position.

[The Rebel]

If this time in the bubble has shown us anything it is how bad we need perimeter defense, even after the injury Harris has shown that he is by far our best perimeter defender.

Harris is a quality defender, but not a $19M per year defender. He has the ability to produce on offense, as evidence of his production 2 years ago, just needs to regain some confidence along with his stroke.

While in theory I agree that he is not worth $19 million a year, Harris is a top 5 perimeter defender and has been for the last 2 years that is not easily replaced and something we desperately need. We all hope that he finds his stroke again, but with MPJ, Murray, and of course Jokic getting the vast majority of the touches and shots I am less worried about him scoring as long as he can up his 3 point shooting a little bit.

I was more impressed with Bates-diop and Dozier than I was with Bol last night. I think if you use KBD at SF and PF for the defensive specialist off the bench and Dozier at PG and SG as the defensive specialist than we have no need to bring back Craig. Vonleh is a big body and good enough to cover the big PFs/ If you add in Cancar than I think we have the young guys to cover backup SF and PF, I would not mind finding a veteran small forward to add in the mix.

I really liked KBD in the 2018 draft, he provided OSU with a well-rounded 2-way game. He obviously needs more development time but who better to help him regain and develop that form than Malone. Dozier is already on his way, he's ready to be on a quality bench, could even sub in as a starter IMO. Can't say I'm high on Cancar, seems like JAG to me.

I know you liked KBD and I can see why. If he continues to improve his 3 point shot to at least 35% (he did shoot 35% on wide open 3s this year) and gets the rotations better on defense (that takes time but he seems to be getting there) than I can see him being the primary backup at 3/4.

Watching the last couple of weeks and I would say that I am ready to move Morris and keep Dozier. I think we can get a good deal for Morris and someone like Barton, and I think Dozier is a better scorer and defender, both of which we need out of our backup PG.

Cancar is hard to tell what he will be, he was good enough on offense to draw double teams in the summer league, yet we have hardly seen him in a regular game. He is cheap next year, so he should be kept and compete for backup minutes at the forward spots.

Bol will be a steal within two years, but I could just as easily seem him as trade bait (not wanting that but could see it happen). We could get some serious draft ROI if he's traded, his perceived value seems to be on the rise around the league right now. I like his versatility as I think he could put mins at C, PF and maybe even some SF

I can see Bol being a backup PF and C, the issue is he is not quick enough laterally to guard a lot of perimeter players and outside of blocked shots and having a long wing span does not bring a lot on defense. His shooting and passing are good, even his ability to drive, but I do not see him ever being the star so many seem to see. I think if you have another team that thinks he is a star in the making that will overpay for him in trade than you do it.

The big question to me is backup SG and backup C. While Bol can play spot minutes at Center, I am not ready to hand that job to anybody, and we need a shooter off the bench in the backcourt.

Totally agree here especially if Barton is traded away. A big 3-D wing who can score would be a premimum to bring in. My wish would be to trade Barton and our 1st to move up for Vassell. As for C, Vonlah or a MLE free agent can come in as a backup C/PF but I'd like to keep Bol in that position.

I think you need a proven veteran backup C, while Jokic is healthy and hopefully remains that way, there is no way I want Vonlah or Bol starting meaningful minutes any time soon. I think there are a lot of good backup Centers that you can get for half the MLE, and I would target Baynes, Kanter, Peoltl, and Giles.

I have also been watching the goings on in Chicago, and AK keeps talking about changing the culture and player development. I know that Barton and Plumlee are both loved for the ways they helped change the culture and their overall attitudes in helping the young guys. I wonder if you can convince AK to trade for Barton and Morris (they still need a true PG) while getting back Markennen and Hutchison?

Prior to his injury this season Hutchison is actually what we hoped Craig would become, a defensive specialist who finds ways to score on offense and while streaky at shooting 3s was still better than Craig despite playing injured last season. Let him compete with Dozier for minutes at the backup SG spot and KBD at backup SF, and I think you can have a solid bench if you fix the 3rd big problem.

Markennen is likely never going to be a star, he is likely going to be a borderline starter on a very good team or a solid starter on a bad team most of his career. He is not strong enough to guard starting Centers and not fast enough to guard perimeter 4s, but he would make a great 3rd big. Have him backing up Grant and Jokic with either KBD or Bol getting minutes at the 4 or 5 depending on matchups with Dozier and Hutchison also being part of the 9 man rotation and I think you can have a very good bench.

[The Rebel]

I think this is a better place to continue offseason discussions than some temporarily game thread.

Beal dream is gone, we can not afford 4 max players. I don´t think Hield is a solution for the SG, we don´t need any 20shots-per-game-player with little D, additionally he is really overpaid. Actually GHarris is the perfect fit for our current roster, it is a pity he apparently quit playing basketball two seasons ago.

I agree with your Bol Bol trade suggestion. Mid term, either him and/or Morris should leave, we can not extend both contracts and Grant has a higher priority. This summer, Barton + Morris + Bol Bol + 1RP should land a very good 3D player with a reasonable salary....but I don´t can´t think of any player with that profile

Cleaning cap from Harris and Barton contracts and without re-signing Millsap and Plumlee we can take Beal (Harris+Barton+Bol+FRP is a fair price), because MPJ is still under a rookie contract. With Beal arrival, Nuggets should wait until the last moment to re-sign MPJ max (not year early like in Murray case), and Kroenke family should rethink their Nuggets legacy and take some luxury tax hit after signing MPJ. Some small-market franchise is once in 50 years in the position to create a true superteam, and out of three potential superteam seasons (2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23), only the last ones (2022-23) will break significantly luxury tax. In 2023-24 Jokic is available for super-max and Beal will be a free agent, so it will be the end of the big-4 story. If Nuggets grab one or even two rings in these three seasons, all sacrifices are worthy of that, and Jokic, MPJ, and Murray should stay after 2023 too. Also, super-teams have big commercial success (look at Cleveland and GSW-Oakland cases) so paying some extra tax is not that painful for the owners if other incomes go high.

The problem is that the Wizards have never made any indications that they are willing to trade Beal, while fans and some reporters love to speculate, every indication is that he wants to stay in Washington and that the Wizards have no interest in trading him. Really I do not blame them either, depending on what happens with Wall coming back, if he is even starting quality than they have a solid eastern conference team with Wall/ Beal/ Hatchimura/Brown/Bryant/ and Wagner plus their 8th pick this year and if they can keep Bertans this summer. The soonest they may consider trading him is at the trade deadline, but I think they give this team at least a full year with Wall back and their young guys.

I do not at all understand "don't want Plumlee back at any price." He is a very good backup center. I can understand thinking money would better be spent elsewhere, but he is a good player who fits well with Denver's style of play.

The problem with Plumlee is that he is not a backup center but decent starter level center, the elite ones in the "working horse" category. Once our salary cap is in the position to pay the price of a starter-centers to the backup-center which will have just 15-20 mpg because team's franchise player is another center. Also, FO wanted to defend its controversial Nurkic deal. I think maximum we can pay this offseason for a 15mpg backup center is 20/3, and Plumlee price is for sure higher.[/quote]

The price to keep him is a big problem, but the other issue is that with Plumlee's terrible play in the playoffs and the reasons behind it the last 2 times he has been there are a big reason people don't want him back. His lack of shooting and lack of ability to really post up bigger guys in the post has made him ineffective at best the last 2 times he was in the playoffs. Add in his inability to guard bigger and stronger players while he is at the age where athleticism usually starts to decline and it is a recipe for disaster overpaying for a backup C because he can start on some teams.

And in the end, I want to explain why I think just a few bubble minutes were enough to rocket Bol Bol value into late lottery pick already. First and most important he shows he is already healthy. MPJ started to prove his true values, Beasley rise in Minnesota, so everybody now praises Denver draft picks, there is no more "they are so lucky with Jokic", and similar to MPJ original Bol draft projections are way higher. And very important, Kristaps Porzingis started more and more during bubble restart to prove himself to doubters, and he is with reason player with which Bol Bol is compared. If we wait next season trade-deadline with Bol taking much bigger playing time his asset value would be I guess in TOP10 draft pick level. Even during this offseason, some desperate front offices of rebuilding teams scared from the unique 2020 draft which estimation is so damaged by coronavirus pause, maybe will be ready to pay a big price for Bol. With not signing a rookie deal with Bol but a two-way contract, I think Bol will be an easier target from other teams, and with superb MPJ-Jokic frontcourt line, we need some forward defensive specialist (Grant?), and more need some extra quality to the backcourt. I'm personally impressed with many Bol Bol skills, but I think his already decent market value should be translated into the player which profile we more need now or in the near future.

Like MPJ, Bol did not fall in the draft because of lack of ability or skills, he fell because of his injury history and the perception that he did not really like basketball and was not a hard worker. a few games is not going to change that perception. While he may get a bump because of the Nuggets history of finding guys in the draft and his play in the bubble, a couple of weeks of play are not going to change the perception of him enough around the league to get someone to give up a lottery pick. In reality he may bring back a late 1st round pick or an early 2nd, and has changed from a throw in to a small asset in a bigger deal, but he is not going to be treated as a potential star until he can convince people that the injury issues are over and that he is willing to put in the needed work to get there.

[hippesthippo]

I'm fairly new to the Denver bandwagon, but I'd like to add my thoughts to the already great insights here.

I think they'll resign Grant, Plumlee and Dozier.

Grant is the most important piece imo. I've liked him for a while. His ability to protect the rim, versatility on defense and passable corner shooting seem like a perfect fit. In particular, I think every team in the West needs a guy that can make big wings at least work for their shots. He'll likely be pricey which will push Millsap out.

I like Plumlee because he allows the Nuggets to largely run a similar offense when Jokic sits. Might be too expensive for a backup C, but I think the market will keep his value low.

I like Dozier as a cheap backup with potential.

Other than Craig who seems superfluous with other guys on the roster, and Millsap who will likely be too costly for his age, the rest of the FA's look like easily replaceable bodies.. nothing more.

[NuggetsWY]

Bol will be a steal within two years, but I could just as easily seem him as trade bait (not wanting that but could see it happen). We could get some serious draft ROI if he's traded, his perceived value seems to be on the rise around the league right now. I like his versatility as I think he could put mins at C, PF and maybe even some SF

I can see Bol being a backup PF and C, the issue is he is not quick enough laterally to guard a lot of perimeter players and outside of blocked shots and having a long wing span does not bring a lot on defense. His shooting and passing are good, even his ability to drive, but I do not see him ever being the star so many seem to see. I think if you have another team that thinks he is a star in the making that will overpay for him in trade than you do it.

"quick enough laterally" - I don't buy into that rhetoric. They say that about Jokic too. If anything, Bol shows that he just might be better at overcoming that than Jokic. I'm not saying he's got a higher BB-IQ but he has that tremendous reach and unlike Jokic, he doesn't try to get up close. He uses that length to disrupt shots.

I don't see Bol as a star and I have no doubt the Nuggets will overpay him if they keep him. But he'd make an excellent bench player that can coming in and play center or power forward and maybe some small forward. He certainly changes the game when he comes in. Everyone is aware of his length and his ability to block their shots.

[NuggetsWY]

I'm fairly new to the Denver bandwagon, but I'd like to add my thoughts to the already great insights here.

I think they'll resign Grant, Plumlee and Dozier.

Grant is the most important piece imo. I've liked him for a while. His ability to protect the rim, versatility on defense and passable corner shooting seem like a perfect fit. In particular, I think every team in the West needs a guy that can make big wings at least work for their shots. He'll likely be pricey which will push Millsap out.

I like Plumlee because he allows the Nuggets to largely run a similar offense when Jokic sits. Might be too expensive for a backup C, but I think the market will keep his value low.

I like Dozier as a cheap backup with potential.

Other than Craig who seems superfluous with other guys on the roster, and Millsap who will likely be too costly for his age, the rest of the FA's look like easily replaceable bodies.. nothing more.

Welcome aboard. Mostly I agree with your assessment.

I agree that Grant might be the most important FA we have. If Plumlee doesn't get a huge offer, I have no doubt Denver will re-sign him. Dozier should be easy to re-sign and I wouldn't object to that at all. If we lose him, I hope he does well.

I suspect Craig might be easy to sign also, because of his inconsistent offense. He makes a nice 3rd string option that can play either wing spot when needed and maybe even play more in case of injuries. Add to that, he seems to always have a great attitude. I hope they keep him, but once again, it'll depend on what offers he receives and if he moves on, I'll wish him well.

If Millsap doesn't get much of an offer, no doubt Denver will re-sign him - but I expect he'll get a decent offer.

[NuggetsWY]

Watching the last couple of weeks and I would say that I am ready to move Morris and keep Dozier. I think we can get a good deal for Morris and someone like Barton, and I think Dozier is a better scorer and defender, both of which we need out of our backup PG.

I'd surely hate to see Morris move on. I like him much more than Dozier but Dozier is improving and would make an adequate backup even right now. Perhaps not on some teams, but Denver has plenty of "point-types". Morris would have the better trade value and combining him with Harris and/or Barton and/or a sign-n-trade and/or pick(s); we might get back someone pretty good.