If there’s one thing we learned about the Denver Nuggets this past season, it’s that Nikola Jokic remains otherworldly. If there’s another thing we learned, it’s that the Nuggets really lacked depth.
So what can the Nuggets do to address the second dose of reality? Well, perhaps a few things, as presented by ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
“The Nuggets have three options to strengthen their depth,” Marks wrote, before going on to list those three items.
One option, and perhaps the most likely scenario, is for Denver to continue to try to develop the young guys into regular contributors. That list includes Jalen Pickett, Peyton Watson, Julian Strawther, Hunter Tyson and DaRon Holmes into consistent rotational players.
Trades and free agency are other ways.
“Because Denver has one first-round pick in 2031 or 2032 available, its lone tangible asset is Michael Porter Jr,” Marks wrote. “The forward averaged a career-high 18.2 points this season and is owed $38.3 and $40.8 million, respectively, in the next two seasons. Denver also has the combined $13.5 million in salary of Zeke Nnaji and Dario Saric. Because Denver is projected to be a first apron team, it’s not allowed to take back salary in a trade.”
What about free agency?
This path seems unlikely as the Nuggets are top heavy with the salaries of Jokic, Jamal Murray, Porter and Aaron Gordon comprising 82% of their total payroll. Plus, the first year of Murray’s extension puts Denver over the first apron again. Unless a trade materializes to clear out salary, Denver has only the veterans’ minimum exception available.”
However Denver goes about getting some consistency in reserve doesn’t really matter. It just must be done.
No less than Jokic addressed this topic after the season.
“We definitely need to figure out a way to get more depth,” he said. “It seems like the teams that have longer rotations, the longer benches, are the ones who are winning. Indiana, OKC, Minnesota.”
On the bright side, the Nuggets now have a coach firmly in place in David Adelman. Word is, interim GM Ben Tenzer will land the job on a full-time basis. So after a crazy finish to the regular season — in which Denver fired coach Michael Malone and GM Calvin Booth right before the playoffs — things may be on the up again.
All the Nuggets need now is a bench.
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