Beat writer Michael Singer opens up the Nuggets Mailbag periodically throughout the offseason. Pose a Nuggets — or NBA — related question here.
I think my dream scenario for the Nuggets this offseason is a trade for Victor Oladipo or Jrue Holiday (I prefer Oladipo although I know most of Nuggets nation seems to prefer Holiday). This would likely come at the expense of Gary Harris, Will Barton, draft picks and maybe Monte Morris from what I’ve gathered. Then I’d like them to sign Derrick Favors and either Jordan Clarkson or Evan Fournier, although the latter is likely to accept his player option or be too pricey. Assuming the Nuggets re-sign Jerami Grant, do you think a squad that would be replacing Mason Plumlee (FA), Paul Millsap (FA), Gary Harris, and Will Barton with Oladipo/Holiday, Jordan Clarkson, and Derrick Favors is enough to challenge for an NBA title? If not, what tweaks would you make to that proposal? Are there better options for rim protection than Favors, or bench sparkplug than Clarkson that the Nuggets could afford?
— Jake, Fort Collins
Tim Connelly, is that you? Kudos for one of the most comprehensive mailbag questions we’ve ever received.
Let’s break this down. There are several reasons I don’t think Oladipo is coming to Denver, beginning with the fact that he didn’t look good upon his return from a ruptured quad. Until he can show he’s healthy again, frankly, I think the Pacers will have a hard time moving him for desired value.
Jrue Holiday is enchanting to Nuggets fans for his defense, his gravity even without the ball (35% 3-point shooter) and his locker room presence. His contract situation is attractive with a player option next offseason, and Connelly will need to decide whether he thinks Holiday is the player to elevate the franchise. Between Denver and New Orleans, there’s likely a difference of opinion regarding how much value Gary Harris has at the moment. By the same token, trading Will Barton, who missed the entire Orlando bubble with a knee injury, wouldn’t be a cakewalk because of his unknown status.
The best I can come up with is Harris, Bol Bol, this year’s first-round pick and Monte Morris. If I’m the Pelicans, that’s what I ask for. If I’m Connelly, I balk at that offer for only one guaranteed year of Holiday. But to answer your question, with Holiday in a supporting role of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., the Nuggets can challenge for a title.
I like your free agent suggestions, but there’s one major problem. The Nuggets aren’t going to have much flexibility, even if their free agents leave. They’ll still be hovering around the salary cap with their midlevel exception that’s worth $9.3 million. It’s very possible Grant, Torrey Craig and either Millsap or Plumlee all return, albeit on substantially lower deals for the latter two. What the Nuggets do with that midlevel money is contingent on what happens with their big men. If Millsap and Plumlee walk, the Nuggets probably take a hard look at Favors, or guys like Serge Ibaka, Nerlens Noel or Jahlil Okafor.
Lifetime Nuggets fan from Nevada here. Do you think the Nuggets trade up if a guy like Aaron Nesmith, Saddiq Bey or even Tyrell Terry falls past No. 13 or 14? The Nuggets desperately lack wing shooting and both Nesmith and Bey are pure shooters who look like they have the potential be lockdown defenders, Bey especially. I think the Nuggets need to draft someone who can can actually help them take another step. Nesmith and Bey can contribute immediately, Terry would help the second unit (which struggled heavily throughout the year) be more dangerous. Also, do you think they try to sign someone like Markus Howard, Sam Merrill or Ty-Shon Alexander if they go un-drafted? I think all of them would be great catch-and-shoot threats off passes from Nikola Jokic. I would love the Nuggets to leave draft night with someone I mentioned.
— Dawson Lamb, Carson City, Nev.
Another awesome question. In short, yes, I think there’s a chance the Nuggets trade up. The reason why is because after the top 10 or so prospects, I think the draft could go haywire. After the initial wave of prospects, teams have guys ranked all over the board. If one of the Nuggets targets drops further than expected, Connelly and his staff are always opportunistic. They pride themselves on preparing for all scenarios (see Bol Bol last year).
I think Nesmith and Bey are both win-now prospects, who could immediately help the Nuggets next season. Bey’s versatility, in particular, might make Craig (a restricted free agent) expendable. Another name to watch, who might be closer to their No. 22 pick: Josh Green. The Nuggets generally opt for talent over position, but all things being equal, I think they lean toward a wing or a big man over a smaller guard like Terry.
Your coverage of the team has been amazing. Who do you think is the most realistic trade target/free agency acquisition for the team this offseason?
— Mason, Denver
I can’t stop thinking about the Pelicans. If it’s not Holiday, then I think the Nuggets should at least inquire about two other guards on their roster: Lonzo Ball and JJ Redick. Ball gives you added size and defense in the backcourt, while Redick offers a veteran shooter the Nuggets could desperately use come playoff time. New Orleans’ asking price would be substantially lower than what it would take to get Holiday. Those who follow the Pelicans closely are expecting a shakeup in the backcourt.
Who are the true “untouchables” on this team? Is there any chance MPJ could be traded?
— Greger, Nashville
If any team called and inquired about Nikola Jokic or Jamal Murray’s availability, Connelly would laugh, hang up the phone and probably not take another call from that team for months. And unless Milwaukee called and said Giannis wants to come to Denver or Houston said we’re shopping James Harden, the same thing would happen regarding calls on Michael Porter Jr. As reported earlier this week, it’s highly, highly unlikely Porter is included in any trade talks this summer.
Jamal Murray showed out in a controlled, regimented environment (in the bubble) because he’s a controlled, regimented player. Can he sustain when it gets “back to normal”?
— @ry_garr via Twitter
This is the central question every NBA team is asking themselves coming out of Orlando. How real were the developments, or disappointments, that happened in the bubble? The Nuggets are no different. They want to know whether Murray can translate his All-NBA level play to a prolonged regular season. I’ll just submit that Murray was already trending upward in February and March before the hiatus and then worked diligently in the weight room to get markedly stronger. The Jazz and the Clippers felt the business end of all of Murray’s captivating potential.
Now that he knows he’s capable of dominating games, I’d expect him to renew his efforts during the real offseason and work toward his first-ever All-Star appearance this coming season.
I keep hearing the narrative that MPJ will be one of the starting five come opening night. What evidence is there that this is true? Seems to me Michael Malone loves his veteran guys.
— Joel Morin, Denver-boy living in Grand Rapids
Outside of Murray, no one on the Nuggets helped his cause this postseason more than Porter. He learned what it was like to be targeted on defense and resolved not to be the team’s glaring weakness. That lesson will prove invaluable, not only for his own development but in building trust with Malone. There’s no putting what Porter did during the regular season (42% from 3) or the postseason (38% from 3, 6.7 rebounds) back in the box. Some questioned Malone’s strategy with Porter during his rookie season, and it didn’t sit well with the 6-foot-10 forward on occasion. That’s all behind them. Porter’s integral to Denver’s future. I’d be shocked if he didn’t crack the starting five.
What’s your opening night starting five?
— @EvanPfaff via Twitter
Jamal Murray, Will Barton, Michael Porter Jr., Jerami Grant and Nikola Jokic.
feeds.denverpost.com/~r/dp-sports/~3/ZZfxKd4BkEk/Follow Tyler Tysdal Here
Check out the latest articles from Tyler Tysdal.Follow Tyler Tysdal on Twitter
Check out the resume for Tyler Tivis Tysdal Crunchbase.com to see the companies he has managed.
Follow Tyler Tivis Tysdal on Linkedin.com
No comments:
Post a Comment