What in the Hell Can the Nuggets Do?

[shi-woo]

This team just needed to turn Zeke's contract into an impact bench player. There are tons of those in the league. Paying 10 mil, your 5th largest contract on the team, to a guy that isn't even worth scrub minutes is what's killing this team.

Their starting 5 when healthy is fine.

Jokic
Gordon
MPJ
Braun
Murray

That group has a ton of offensive talent, and should be able to score on anyone, and match most teams athletically. Murray always being hurt just takes away from how good that core still is. The bench is where DEN has messed up, but it really isn't all that bad. Celtics ended up getting Pritchard and Hauser to sign similar contracts to Zeke, but DEN isn't getting that level of production.

Westbrook
Watson
Strawther

That is a fine bench that has a lot of flexibility. Saric when he's back can give some minutes too. Their main focus is finding a team to bite and give them a legit bench piece for Zeke and some draft capital.

He can't be traded this year, but man Jalen Smith would look good in DEN right now.

Larry Nance
Boucher
Kelly O
Try Lyles
Marvin Bagley
Codey Martin
Time Lord
Duop Reath is a player they should try hard to get, he's cheap and can give them those minutes they need as a backup 5 or 4

If they can add a player like that to the bench without losing the other guys, and stay healthy for once, they will have enough to make a deep run and seriously contend. They are like the Warriors, they just seem one piece away.

They clearly messed up knowing they weren't bringing back veteran guards, but they didn't really draft size till this year. Braun, Watson and Strawther all are NBA rotation players, but they really needed someone over 6'8 to develop. Obviously Holmes going down hurt, but idk how ready he was going to be anyways. They rolled the dice on speedy development, but it just didn't work, they were one year to late last year, and now they seem to be regressing this year. Turning MPJ into 2 pieces might be something, but that doesn't seem like the best.

Hoping Braun, Watson, and Strawther continue to get more consistent in their larger roles, and getting a better player on the bench instead of Zeke, that is what they need to do, and no one will want to see this team in the postseason. They go a legit 8 deep, just need someone to bring it all together

[Lala870]

Their starting 5 when healthy is fine.

Jokic
Gordon
MPJ
Braun
Murray

[BelgradeNugget]

Their starting 5 when healthy is fine.

Jokic
Gordon
MPJ
Braun
Murray

https://statsurge.substack.com/p/the-most-consistent-3-point-shooters

"Steph Curry, Michael Porter Jr., Grayson Allen, and CJ McCollum are all some of the most consistent, high-quality shooters in the league. Porter Jr. especially stands out as he is sometimes considered inconsistent but this data may argue otherwise."

One of the best and most consistent mid range and 3pt shooter in the league, one of the best rebounders at SF positions, great at finishing around the rim, solid help defender who significantly improved his BBIQ and become good passer, and fits perfectly with other starters. He is not a problem

[Alatan]

Their starting 5 when healthy is fine.

Jokic
Gordon
MPJ
Braun
Murray

https://statsurge.substack.com/p/the-most-consistent-3-point-shooters

"Steph Curry, Michael Porter Jr., Grayson Allen, and CJ McCollum are all some of the most consistent, high-quality shooters in the league. Porter Jr. especially stands out as he is sometimes considered inconsistent but this data may argue otherwise."

One of the best and most consistent mid range and 3pt shooter in the league, one of the best rebounders at SF positions, great at finishing around the rim, solid help defender who significantly improved his BBIQ and become good passer, and fits perfectly with other starters. He is not a problem

Solid help defender...improved BBIQ...GOOD PASSER???

I wish those things were true.

The main problem with MPJ is that he is an offense only player that cant create his own shot AT ALL. At least this year he started atacking the rim as a cutter and sometimes as a straight line driver so there is some hope for him being something more than a glorified spot up shooter.

[BelgradeNugget]

He can't be traded this year, but man Jalen Smith would look good in DEN right now.

100%

Larry Nance
Boucher
Kelly O
Try Lyles
Marvin Bagley
Codey Martin
Time Lord
Duop Reath is a player they should try hard to get, he's cheap and can give them those minutes they need as a backup 5 or 4

My personal list would include

Larry Nance
Kelly O
Time Lord (injuries????)
Duop Reath

Day'Ron Sharpe
Nick Richards

Still long list and we need just 1. All are within range of Nnaji/Saric salary for trade. Denver would need to add some 1st round swaps to make it work.

Two favourites I would include 2031 unprotected 1 (and still don't think we could get them)

Santi Aldama
Goga Bitadze

If they can add a player like that to the bench without losing the other guys, and stay healthy for once, they will have enough to make a deep run and seriously contend. They are like the Warriors, they just seem one piece away.

100%

[BelgradeNugget]

https://statsurge.substack.com/p/the-most-consistent-3-point-shooters

"Steph Curry, Michael Porter Jr., Grayson Allen, and CJ McCollum are all some of the most consistent, high-quality shooters in the league. Porter Jr. especially stands out as he is sometimes considered inconsistent but this data may argue otherwise."

One of the best and most consistent mid range and 3pt shooter in the league, one of the best rebounders at SF positions, great at finishing around the rim, solid help defender who significantly improved his BBIQ and become good passer, and fits perfectly with other starters. He is not a problem

Solid help defender...improved BBIQ...GOOD PASSER???

I wish those things were true.

The main problem with MPJ is that he is an offense only player that cant create his own shot AT ALL. At least this year he started atacking the rim as a cutter and sometimes as a straight line driver so there is some hope for him being something more than a glorified spot up shooter.

First about defense. 2 years ago Nuggets won championship. Their playoff defense was among the best, their cluch defense was among the best. So if Murray and MPJ are such terrible defenders as people try to say, and Jokic is not good rim protector as we all know, how was this possible? In the playoffs teams target weak links it didn't work against Nuggets who lost 4 games in their championship run. MPJ is tall and long it helps with closing passing lines. Rebounding is part of defense. This year they are average (15th) while plaing with no effort and playing Julian Strawther one of the worst defenders in the league 21 minutes per game.

About improved BBIQ and becoming good passer, his job is to be catch and shoot player - finisher. This year as you said he started attacking basket more. But if you want to compare him to other players with the same role let's look at Klay Thompson and Dancan Robinson. Their job was to catch and shoot same as MPJ. Klay's best average in assists per game was 2.9 in 2014/15. For Dancan it is 2.8 in 2023/24. For MPJ it was 1.5 in full season last year. Now he is at 2.9 with 8 games of 23 with 4 or more assists. Almost double the previous high. I would call this an improvement. And we won championship, were 16-4 in the playoffs with him (worst version of him) as starting SF.

[Exp0sed]

Pistons just released Paul Reed, Nuggets should pick him up off waivers asap

he's a much better player than he's shown in the past year or so, he'll be a great cheap reclamation project for the mile high club. I think he'll do well in that lockerroom and a winning enviorment. he's much better than the scrubs they are trotting out at backup PF and can even play some backup C, he's not a C obviously but they have Saric and the corpse of DAJ so even at backup C he'd be an upgrade

[Wolfgang630]

This’ll be one of those easy moments for Calvin Booth to just grab Paul Reed which it seems like him and previous management has continued to fail on getting obvious players for backup center

[Exp0sed]

Their starting 5 when healthy is fine.

Jokic
Gordon
MPJ
Braun
Murray

stop it, lol

MPJ is def overpaid but on the court he's more than "fine", yes he has some flaws and is a particularly low I.Q player but he's been healthy and productive, he's def not the problem (even tho his contract is def a prob). Braun has taken a big step this year, if he can continue consistently at this level that means he's basically a wash with KCP and that's a starting 5 that won them a chip

[shi-woo]

Pistons just released Paul Reed, Nuggets should pick him up off waivers asap

he's a much better player than he's shown in the past year or so, he'll be a great cheap reclamation project for the mile high club. I think he'll do well in that lockerroom and a winning enviorment. he's much better than the scrubs they are trotting out at backup PF and can even play some backup C, he's not a C obviously but they have Saric and the corpse of DAJ so even at backup C he'd be an upgrade

100% this is a no brainer for DEN. He's not the best, but he has real experience playing with the 76ers, is a solid offensive rebounder, and can hot open 4's. His size and IQ aren't the greatest, but he's someone who can play the 4/5 and get you extra possessions.

Denver needs to be all on this, and they can still make that move wit Zeke's contract later in the year

Make it happen Calvin, you won't get another opportunity to sign a cheap center who has proven to be able to give 10-15 mins in the playoffs.

[JM00n69]

https://statsurge.substack.com/p/the-most-consistent-3-point-shooters

"Steph Curry, Michael Porter Jr., Grayson Allen, and CJ McCollum are all some of the most consistent, high-quality shooters in the league. Porter Jr. especially stands out as he is sometimes considered inconsistent but this data may argue otherwise."

One of the best and most consistent mid range and 3pt shooter in the league, one of the best rebounders at SF positions, great at finishing around the rim, solid help defender who significantly improved his BBIQ and become good passer, and fits perfectly with other starters. He is not a problem

Solid help defender...improved BBIQ...GOOD PASSER???

I wish those things were true.

The main problem with MPJ is that he is an offense only player that cant create his own shot AT ALL. At least this year he started atacking the rim as a cutter and sometimes as a straight line driver so there is some hope for him being something more than a glorified spot up shooter.

He's one of the best shooters in the league and 6'10. Can get his shot off against anyone and he wont stop shooting if he's missed a few. Something you need in a player like that. The spacing and cover he demands is vital for this team to let Jok have his space to work his magic and for AG/Braun to have their open lanes to cut or drop out for an open shot.

And he is a great help defender on a team that doesn't have any rim protectors and relies on switching and rotating instead. He's having his best year this season and he is finally driving and getting inside to score. He's played every game so far and missed just one last year.

Players improve and he's made a big step this year. He deserves some **** respect

Also why is anyone criticizing his passing? He's role is a shooter and scorer. Space the floor and demand a cover from any distance and shoot when he gets it. His defense and rebounding is above average this year. He's not a playmaker, sure but that's not his role. His on the floor with Jokic and Murray

[BigGargamel]

People crapping on MPJ in 2024 aren't worth taking seriously. He'll always be overpaid (though not so much these days), but he's the teams second best scorer, and is improved as a rebounder and defender. He plays every game. He's a very important player to Denver success. There's a reason that all Nuggets trade rumors involve around MPJ. He's more valuable to the rest of the league than Gordon and Murray.

[HotRocks34]

Denver was in good shape this year until the injury bug hit their bigs, particularly Holmes and Cancar. And Saric has ability but doesn't mesh well with Russ' fast pace.

They're starting to get it together but they have to stay healthy, Murray must regain his form and they need another bench big.

Holmes is recovering well from his Achilles but there can't be any expectation of a return this season. Cancar had knee surgery and will be rechecked in two months. Getting him back would help a lot.

The good thing is that the young guys are coming along nicely and Russ fits. But right now they only have eight guys plus Jordan and Saric. They need at least one more big.

Murray looked a lot better with the time off so they might want to play him fewer games. And Pickett is starting to figure things out so they might be able to function if Murray needs to sit.

A lot of this season has been about low effort and various injuries (Gordon, struggling Murray). One bright spot for them is that they seem to be good at fast break points so if they can just force a few more misses and grab a few more defensive rebounds, they probably could fairly easily add a few more PPG.

[BigGargamel]

It's been a truly terrible start, but even so, Denver is 13-10 and only 2.5 games out of the second seed. OKC probably has that 1 seed wrapped up, but other than that, it's extremely wide open. Every other West team has deficiencies as well. So as bad as Denver has been, they're not in a Philadelphia 76ers type situation right now. They started 13-9 last year and ended up winning 56 games. Denver is going to win 50 games again, as long as Jokic is on the floor and every other starter isn't injured long term.

The silver lining with all the injuries and general buffoonery has been the development of Braun and Strawther. Strawther especially, the past few weeks he's shown that he can be that 20 minute per game scorer that Denver really needs off the bench.

Really, if Denver can get one more backup big man, they should be alright during the regular season. Strawther, Watson, Westbrook, big..that's a fine enough bench.

It's really all on Murray. He needs to be at his best for Denver to have a chance. There's not a trade or signing that's going to make a difference if Murray doesn't bounce back. It's all on him. Other than that, this is pretty much the same lineup that won Denver a title two years ago.

[Exp0sed]

It's been a truly terrible start, but even so, Denver is 13-10 and only 2.5 games out of the second seed. OKC probably has that 1 seed wrapped up, but other than that, it's extremely wide open. Every other West team has deficiencies as well. So as bad as Denver has been, they're not in a Philadelphia 76ers type situation right now. They started 13-9 last year and ended up winning 56 games. Denver is going to win 50 games again, as long as Jokic is on the floor and every other starter isn't injured long term.

Mavs are just as good and they are a deeper team whose already up like 2-3 game on the Nuggets. Memphis are also way ahead and are 17-8 despite a plethora of injuries including to Morant, I think it's unlikely this iteration of the Nuggets ends up above the Mavs and Grizz, the Rockets spot might still be up for grabs (perhaps). I think they do surpass the Dubs tho, so #5 is probably the most realistic

[DCasey91]

Definetly no to Paul Reed. Didn't make it as a 4 and is not a 5.

Sixers fan can tell you straight up no.

Nuggets problem has always been Murray's weight/playstyle and an actual backup defensive C. The second problem is easily fixable yet the FO is stupid.

Goga is a fantastic choice but Nance Jr is really the perfect guy here. Really is underrated. Get it done quit fukn around.

2/21 is literally ideal. Nanji has 8 and change. Every year of Jokic's prime should be to have the list as best as possible which they've failed at.

I'm serious when I say this it'll change the whole dynamics overnight.

I'm not even kidding Dwight Howard is better than Deandre right now. Why do FO's suck arse and having dumb competency on backup bigs.

Nuggets are doing what the Sixers are doing.

Actually get a bloody center and keep em ffs.

[Chuck Everett]

Definetly no to Paul Reed. Didn't make it as a 4 and is not a 5.

Sixers fan can tell you straight up no.

Nuggets problem has always been Murray's weight/playstyle and an actual backup defensive C. The second problem is easily fixable yet the FO is stupid.

Goga is a fantastic choice but Nance Jr is really the perfect guy here. Really is underrated. Get it done quit fukn around.

2/21 is literally ideal. Nanji has 8 and change. Every year of Jokic's prime should be to have the list as best as possible which they've failed at.

I'm serious when I say this it'll change the whole dynamics overnight.

They had a backup defensive center last year in Jay Huff (G-League DPOY) and Malone didn't play him. If the coach isn't going to give the guy burn, why do people keep saying the front office?

[HMFFL]

MPJ needs more field goal attempts. He is shooting 14.4 per game, which is his career high, but it's not enough.

Sent from my SM-S928U1 using RealGM mobile app

[DCasey91]

Definetly no to Paul Reed. Didn't make it as a 4 and is not a 5.

Sixers fan can tell you straight up no.

Nuggets problem has always been Murray's weight/playstyle and an actual backup defensive C. The second problem is easily fixable yet the FO is stupid.

Goga is a fantastic choice but Nance Jr is really the perfect guy here. Really is underrated. Get it done quit fukn around.

2/21 is literally ideal. Nanji has 8 and change. Every year of Jokic's prime should be to have the list as best as possible which they've failed at.

I'm serious when I say this it'll change the whole dynamics overnight.

They had a backup defensive center last year in Jay Huff (G-League DPOY) and Malone didn't play him. If the coach isn't going to give the guy burn, why do people keep saying the front office?

Watched hundreds of Nugs game and the more I realize Malone is a Doc head. That's a problem in of itself (Want him gone sooner rather than later).

Nance Jr is a known quantity. Big difference between the two.

Neither of the top guys running the ship is saved from my condemnation.

[JM00n69]

Definetly no to Paul Reed. Didn't make it as a 4 and is not a 5.

Sixers fan can tell you straight up no.

Nuggets problem has always been Murray's weight/playstyle and an actual backup defensive C. The second problem is easily fixable yet the FO is stupid.

Goga is a fantastic choice but Nance Jr is really the perfect guy here. Really is underrated. Get it done quit fukn around.

2/21 is literally ideal. Nanji has 8 and change. Every year of Jokic's prime should be to have the list as best as possible which they've failed at.

I'm serious when I say this it'll change the whole dynamics overnight.

They had a backup defensive center last year in Jay Huff (G-League DPOY) and Malone didn't play him. If the coach isn't going to give the guy burn, why do people keep saying the front office?

Can we get over this stupid take that Malone doesn't give the young ones a chance. He's always given everyone minutes during RS. Huff was a poor fit and not a reliable rotation player last year.

Hunter Tyson is getting the minutes that Nnaji or Saric are also contestants for this year. And he'd be the last choice out of them but there is reason for it. We're not privy to what goes on day to day behind the scenes. End of the day Malone has a long history at coaching at the highest level and has a great coaching team around him.