Centers
Jokic - heart of the Nuggets, but let's stop expecting him to become a big-time scorer. Here's hoping he doesn't change a thing.
Bol - can he be our backup center? He's different, he won't be a physical beast but he can stretch the floor and handle the ball. It looks like his defense is similar to Jokic's - better than statistics and not traditional (whatever that means).
Forwards
Grant - a player's option. Will he stay on his current contract? It might be wise due to the financial impact of covid-19. If he exercises his choice to go free agent, will the Nuggets re-sign him? I think so. IMO he didn't really get a fair shot to show his best yet. In OKC, his best offense was corner 3s plus his athleticism. His defense is nice because he can switch onto almost anybody - with varying degrees of success. What's really nice is that he can actually play both forward slots.
Porter - health, health, health. Sure, Malone doesn't like rookies but Porter had injury issues and not just his back. If he's ready to play, he might be Murray's contender for #1 scorer. What's really nice is that he can actually play both forward slots.
Bates-Diop - like rookies, Malone isn't likely to use a young player acquired in the middle of the year, so we didn't see much of his play. His defense is better than Porter's and his offense is decent. What's really nice is that he can actually play both forward slots.
Cancar - has a nice game, from what we've seen. But it doesn't seem like he'll get much playing time, although he just might be able to step up in case of injuries. His game is similar to Jokic's in that he depends on his intelligence more so than athletic ability.
Guards
Harris - can he re-acquire his game? His defense has kept him in the starting line-up, but we need more offense from a shooting guard.
Barton - IMO it's time to stop calling Barton a forward. Malone says he is a defensive-oriented coach and Barton's defense is not the best, except for the occasional very special play. He tends to be out of position and allows players to fly past him all too often. But against the average NBA small forward, Barton is just too small to play decent defense no matter how hard he tries. If Barton plays shooting guard (and please keep him away from point guard, he doesn't have PG handles), he can provide the offense Harris hasn't been showing.
Murray - nobody will be surprised to hear the word "consistency". IMO Murray needs to start playing like he's the #1 scorer, because that's what his game shows he can be. He seems to still play like a young player that is deferring to others. Jokic wants to feed others and Murray can really become great IMO - but only if he asserts himself.
Morris - he deserves a shot to get serious playing time and maybe even be a starter. Unfortunately he won't be starting in Denver and as long as Malone things Barton is a point guard, he's not going to get a shot at much playing time. He can play both guard slots on both ends of the court. I'd love to see him on the Nuggets, but he might be of more value if we trade him - just not sure where or for what.
Free Agents
Millsap - I've enjoyed having him on the Nuggets and his contributions have been great. He's a very nice fit next to Jokic IMO. However, even if he's willing to take a major, major cut in pay; if the Nuggets bring him back, I'm afraid Malone will depend on him too much and our younger forwards won't be at their best. It just seems that if the Nuggets are going to be able to contend for a title, they are going to need someone else at power forward. {{{Just don't look at his statistics when you read that, because stats say I am wrong.
}}}Craig - his offense is streaky but his defense is solid. He makes a very nice bench player but I just don't see him as a regular part of the rotation --- but if there are injuries, he can definitely step up. What's really nice is that he can actually play both some power forward and some shooting guard. I do hope we re-sign him!
Dozier - Is he a point guard? Nice assist-to-turnover ratio and decent handles. Can he play shooting guard? 3pt shooting is a little weak but he hasn't had a decent shot at proving himself. His PG mentality is to allow others to shoot. But his defense looks like he can play 3 or 4 slots - being 6'6" with a nearly 7' wingspan. I'd love to see him on the team. His young and hopefully he develops nicely.
