2025 Off-Season

[skywalker33]

Any interest in a Bruce Brown s&t for Braun or Strawther?

Not a chance for Braun unless you have a couple #1's you aren't using. Strawther is still young and has a better upside than Brown, even so, Brown is a FA and has expressed an open desire to return to DEN, we'll just wait to see how that plays out.

[BelgradeNugget]

Any interest in a Bruce Brown s&t for Braun or Strawther?

If you plan a trade and have to include small contract like Karlo, call us, we can take him and send you Pickett or Tyson and cash.

[hoopsfan777]

Any interest in a Bruce Brown s&t for Braun or Strawther?

If you plan a trade and have to include small contract like Karlo, call us, we can take him and send you Pickett or Tyson and cash.

Not trading Matkovic.

[BelgradeNugget]

Any interest in a Bruce Brown s&t for Braun or Strawther?

If you plan a trade and have to include small contract like Karlo, call us, we can take him and send you Pickett or Tyson and cash.

Not trading Matkovic.

He, he second try

Boston out: Houser, #28
Boston in: Šarić, Westbrook

Denver out: Nnaji, Strawther, Šarić, Westbrook
Denver in: Houser, Matković, Bruce B (s&t $7.4M), 2031 2nd Tor (via NOP)

Pelicans out: Matković, Bruce B (s&t $7.4M), 2031 2nd Tor
Pelicans in: Nnaji, Strawther, #28

[NuggetsWY]

Any interest in a Bruce Brown s&t for Braun or Strawther?

If you plan a trade and have to include small contract like Karlo, call us, we can take him and send you Pickett or Tyson and cash.

Not trading Matkovic.

And there's the problem. Fans and coaches and front offices are all the same; they want to trade someone or acquire someone but the other side values their players higher than the other half of the trade.

Sure, many of the Nuggets faithful would like Brown back. It makes sense and he is interested in returning and he fits nicely, as he did before.

In this case, you are interested in trading a solid veteran for one of our young players; one of whom was a very effective starter. There are probably some that are not associated with either team that would call it a reasonable basis for a trade, probably adding another player on one side or the other and maybe adding a pick one way or the other. Personally, I don't believe the Nuggets' front office would be interested in trading Strawther and would almost certainly say no to trading Braun unless someone offers quite a bit more than this.

Then, when someone suggests the Pelicans trade their rookie, third-string center; you simply say "Not trading Matkovic". So your feelings about young players is similar to how the Nuggets' fans feel about some of their young players and you happened to pick the two least likely to be traded young players on the Nuggets (that's my opinion).

I do appreciate your attempt to work something out -- since many of us would love having Brown back.

[skywalker33]

Well, for the Nuggets our FIRST order of business is finding a REAL GM, to correct issues our last one made for us

[skywalker33]

One of the first pegs drop for next season, Westbrook has declined his $3.4M players option. Replacing his 13.3ppg is not going to be easy but not impossible. While he does bring some energy off the bench, he does turn 37yo this year. He's never been an accurate shooter, something we could definitely use more of. Also, he could just be looking for a raise from the Nuggets. Personally, I think we can find someone who is younger and who will bring the same energy off the bench. His leadership might be hard to replace but his scoring might be harder to fill. Guess a REAL GM might be able to to do just that, just wish the Nuggets would look outside for stronger options.

[skywalker33]

Info on the "results" from the Westbrook decision, credit to DaFan334 as well as Bobby Marks

Read on Twitter

now I'm inclined to think he'll resign with DEN, we sign Bruce back and can still get a vet C (even better if Saric opts out) to help out this team's bench. I'm also betting Adelman can find a way to utilize Nnaji better than Malone (who had ZERO inclination to do) but that may be TOO optimistic.

[skywalker33]

More ramification perspectives of WB opting out.

https://denversports.com/nba/denver-nuggets/russell-westbrook-opt/2122151

[NuggetsWY]

I like Westbrook but whether he returns or not isn't the most important thing in my opinion.

#1 -- Find out if any of the following are going to fit in the long run:
..Pickett
..Strawther
..Tyson
..Watson
..Nnaji
..Holmes

Do the Nuggets even consider retaining:
..Alexander
..Jones
..Hall

That's a lot of potential talent that has been almost completely ignored and/or undeveloped. That's a lot of salary and player slots.

#2 -- Vet backup center -- primarily defense
#3 -- Vet outside shooter with defense

[skywalker33]

I like Westbrook but whether he returns or not isn't the most important thing in my opinion.

#1 -- Find out if any of the following are going to fit in the long run:
..Pickett
..Strawther
..Tyson
..Watson
..Nnaji
..Holmes

Do the Nuggets even consider retaining:
..Alexander
..Jones
..Hall

That's a lot of potential talent that has been almost completely ignored and/or undeveloped. That's a lot of salary and player slots.

#2 -- Vet backup center -- primarily defense
#3 -- Vet outside shooter with defense

Gotta think we will be working to further develop:

Strawther - our best shot at a pure shooter off the bench
Watson - has already joined our RS rotation but need him to shoot with more confidence & consistency
Holmes - our #1 pick last year, his rehab has shown the potential already and he's got size. Could backup Jokic
Alexander - Won G-league MVP (I believe), has good size, scoring and versatility
Nnaji - Still only 24yo, has shown glimpses of being useful but Malone just hated that faith & contract Booth had in him

Tyson has had a lot of chance to get off the bench but can't put it all together, his contract is only thing keeping him around IMO. Jones and Hall should be back as TW players, further development to see if they can become something more.

[skywalker33]

This would make my off-season

https://denversports.com/nba/denver-nuggets/surprise-offer-backup-b/2122367

[NuggetsWY]

This would make my off-season

https://denversports.com/nba/denver-nuggets/surprise-offer-backup-b/2122367

I will admit, I thought Saric would work out better playing with Jokic. I wonder what would have happened if he had been given more of a chance. His playing style should have worked well with Jokic. (Just my opinion.)

Oh well, I have believed he would sign in Europe because he wants to play, not sit on a bench. I respect that!

And yes, this is a big plus for the Nuggets IMO.

[BelgradeNugget]

This would make my off-season

https://denversports.com/nba/denver-nuggets/surprise-offer-backup-b/2122367

To be honest the news of Dario Saric opting into his contract is what I hoped for. In today NBA trading assets are not just good players and picks, but expiring contract also, and Dario is $5.4M expiring contract now. If there is truth to rumors about european teams being interested in him it only means reciving team could buy out his contract for even less money.

So here are 2 trade options using his contract.

Option 1

Dario Saric+Jalen Pickett+Hunter Tyson for
Kyle 'SloMo' Anderson

Miami recived him in Butler trade. They have Andrew Wiggins, Tyler Herro, Haywood Highsmith, Duncan Robinson, Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr. on wings, no need for him. By this trade they get off of 2nd year of his contract, Nuggets get high IQ veteran, good bench peace.

Option 2

Dario Saric+Julian Strawther +Hunter Tyson
Sam Houser

Boston is trying to get out of 2nd apron, Houser has 4 years left on contract. If they decide to try to lower payrole for next year this could be good way.

Denver can also involve his contract into some s&t options like

Option 3

Dario Saric +Hunter Tyson+ 1st round pick swap (2028)
Pelicans - s&t Bruce Brown ($7M)

This way we can still use TPMLE to sign someone like Nicolas Batum/Larry Nance Jr. or whoever is solid and avilable...

[skywalker33]

This would make my off-season

https://denversports.com/nba/denver-nuggets/surprise-offer-backup-b/2122367

I will admit, I thought Saric would work out better playing with Jokic. I wonder what would have happened if he had been given more of a chance. His playing style should have worked well with Jokic. (Just my opinion.)

Oh well, I have believed he would sign in Europe because he wants to play, not sit on a bench. I respect that!

And yes, this is a big plus for the Nuggets IMO.

Well, Saric opted in, we’ll have to see if he can be traded now.

Heard his bench duties were very aligned with how out of shape he came into camp, Malone noticed that early and sat him. With Adelman coming in, hope Saric doesn’t fall into the same trap.

[skywalker33]

This would make my off-season

https://denversports.com/nba/denver-nuggets/surprise-offer-backup-b/2122367

To be honest the news of Dario Saric opting into his contract is what I hoped for. In today NBA trading assets are not just good players and picks, but expiring contract also, and Dario is $5.4M expiring contract now. If there is truth to rumors about european teams being interested in him it only means reciving team could buy out his contract for even less money.

So here are 2 trade options using his contract.

Option 1

Dario Saric+Jalen Pickett+Hunter Tyson for
Kyle 'SloMo' Anderson

Miami recived him in Butler trade. They have Andrew Wiggins, Tyler Herro, Haywood Highsmith, Duncan Robinson, Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr. on wings, no need for him. By this trade they get off of 2nd year of his contract, Nuggets get high IQ veteran, good bench peace.

Option 2

Dario Saric+Julian Strawther +Hunter Tyson
Sam Houser

Boston is trying to get out of 2nd apron, Houser has 4 years left on contract. If they decide to try to lower payrole for next year this could be good way.

Denver can also involve his contract into some s&t options like

Option 3

Dario Saric +Hunter Tyson+ 1st round pick swap (2028)
Pelicans - s&t Bruce Brown ($7M)

This way we can still use TPMLE to sign someone like Nicolas Batum/Larry Nance Jr. or whoever is solid and avilable...

LOVE your optimism but Saric's value is in the tank, even with an expiring. He may be tradable closer to the trade deadline but unless he plays much better, a guy who only played 13 out of 82 games and shot 36% from 2-pt and 29% from 3 isn't going to attract much value.

[BelgradeNugget]

This would make my off-season

https://denversports.com/nba/denver-nuggets/surprise-offer-backup-b/2122367

To be honest the news of Dario Saric opting into his contract is what I hoped for. In today NBA trading assets are not just good players and picks, but expiring contract also, and Dario is $5.4M expiring contract now. If there is truth to rumors about european teams being interested in him it only means reciving team could buy out his contract for even less money.

So here are 2 trade options using his contract.

Option 1

Dario Saric+Jalen Pickett+Hunter Tyson for
Kyle 'SloMo' Anderson

Miami recived him in Butler trade. They have Andrew Wiggins, Tyler Herro, Haywood Highsmith, Duncan Robinson, Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr. on wings, no need for him. By this trade they get off of 2nd year of his contract, Nuggets get high IQ veteran, good bench peace.

Option 2

Dario Saric+Julian Strawther +Hunter Tyson
Sam Houser

Boston is trying to get out of 2nd apron, Houser has 4 years left on contract. If they decide to try to lower payrole for next year this could be good way.

Denver can also involve his contract into some s&t options like

Option 3

Dario Saric +Hunter Tyson+ 1st round pick swap (2028)
Pelicans - s&t Bruce Brown ($7M)

This way we can still use TPMLE to sign someone like Nicolas Batum/Larry Nance Jr. or whoever is solid and avilable...

LOVE your optimism but Saric's value is in the tank, even with an expiring. He may be tradable closer to the trade deadline but unless he plays much better, a guy who only played 13 out of 82 games and shot 36% from 2-pt and 29% from 3 isn't going to attract much value.

Again, this has nothing to do with Šarić the player but expiring contract. This new reality of NBA is teams are trying to avoid 2nd apron any way possible. We were 1st victim. KCP wasn't resigned not because owners are cheap but because of 2nd apron. Boston is ready to dismantle championship team one year after winning it all for the same reason.

Another player in the mix for us from the team trying to get out of 2nd apron is Royce O'Neil.

For the same reason don't be surprised to see our trade package be Šarić+Watson, because we can't pay Braun and Watson. If Watson is not traded next year, we will be in 2nd apron so it means MPJ is probobly gone.

It will be wild offseason as it looks like

[skywalker33]

To be honest the news of Dario Saric opting into his contract is what I hoped for. In today NBA trading assets are not just good players and picks, but expiring contract also, and Dario is $5.4M expiring contract now. If there is truth to rumors about european teams being interested in him it only means reciving team could buy out his contract for even less money.

So here are 2 trade options using his contract.

Option 1

Dario Saric+Jalen Pickett+Hunter Tyson for
Kyle 'SloMo' Anderson

Miami recived him in Butler trade. They have Andrew Wiggins, Tyler Herro, Haywood Highsmith, Duncan Robinson, Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr. on wings, no need for him. By this trade they get off of 2nd year of his contract, Nuggets get high IQ veteran, good bench peace.

Option 2

Dario Saric+Julian Strawther +Hunter Tyson
Sam Houser

Boston is trying to get out of 2nd apron, Houser has 4 years left on contract. If they decide to try to lower payrole for next year this could be good way.

Denver can also involve his contract into some s&t options like

Option 3

Dario Saric +Hunter Tyson+ 1st round pick swap (2028)
Pelicans - s&t Bruce Brown ($7M)

This way we can still use TPMLE to sign someone like Nicolas Batum/Larry Nance Jr. or whoever is solid and avilable...

LOVE your optimism but Saric's value is in the tank, even with an expiring. He may be tradable closer to the trade deadline but unless he plays much better, a guy who only played 13 out of 82 games and shot 36% from 2-pt and 29% from 3 isn't going to attract much value.

Again, this has nothing to do with Šarić the player but expiring contract. This new reality of NBA is teams are trying to avoid 2nd apron any way possible. We were 1st victim. KCP wasn't resigned not because owners are cheap but because of 2nd apron. Boston is ready to dismantle championship team one year after winning it all for the same reason.

Another player in the mix for us from the team trying to get out of 2nd apron is Royce O'Neil.

For the same reason don't be surprised to see our trade package be Šarić+Watson, because we can't pay Braun and Watson. If Watson is not traded next year, we will be in 2nd apron so it means MPJ is probobly gone.

It will be wild offseason as it looks like

Valid point, but by that same logic, couldn't/shouldn't we look to utilize the $5.4M towards part of a salary to Braun ? If we trade it away and take on equal salary on longer contracts, we're lessening our own ability to re-sign Christian.

[skywalker33]

WOW, disappointed to hear our "new" FO is now made up of interim GM Ben Tenzer and former Wolves affiliate G-League GM Jon Wallace. Why'd that take so long, to avoid the pain and eventual regret ??? Heard rumblings of the possibility of Bob Myers taking over the Nuggets GM job right after the Finals but this feels like the cheap-azz move the Nuggets were planning all along, another way to kick Jokic out the door and the Nuggets fans in the teeth.

[BelgradeNugget]

LOVE your optimism but Saric's value is in the tank, even with an expiring. He may be tradable closer to the trade deadline but unless he plays much better, a guy who only played 13 out of 82 games and shot 36% from 2-pt and 29% from 3 isn't going to attract much value.

Again, this has nothing to do with Šarić the player but expiring contract. This new reality of NBA is teams are trying to avoid 2nd apron any way possible. We were 1st victim. KCP wasn't resigned not because owners are cheap but because of 2nd apron. Boston is ready to dismantle championship team one year after winning it all for the same reason.

Another player in the mix for us from the team trying to get out of 2nd apron is Royce O'Neil.

For the same reason don't be surprised to see our trade package be Šarić+Watson, because we can't pay Braun and Watson. If Watson is not traded next year, we will be in 2nd apron so it means MPJ is probobly gone.

It will be wild offseason as it looks like

Valid point, but by that same logic, couldn't/shouldn't we look to utilize the $5.4M towards part of a salary to Braun ? If we trade it away and take on equal salary on longer contracts, we're lessening our own ability to re-sign Christian.

Makes sense. But looking at our payroll in 2026-27 we will be $24.5M under 2nd apron with 9 players on roster and extensions waiting for Braun and Watson. Braun by himself will probobly get $25M. In 2027-28 MPJ's contract expires and we will have some breathing room. So the question is Watson. Do we wait for him to prove he is playoff contributor or we look for players we know can help. Will Watson be OK with being backup for few more years? If he proves he can contribute in the playoffs he will ask for $15M + 4 years and bigger role (see Bruce, KCP).
So maybe having good vets on 2-3 years contract for $10M is good thing to have. Especially if it means our ods of winning it all next season, and beyond will be higher.
Anyway looking strictly at Saric's contract for next season if we trade it for solid player (adding 1 young player or draft capital), we will still have ability to sign a player on TPMLE. So Instead of having ability to sign 1 player for $5.4M we will have option to sign one and trade for the other.