Off-Season Nuggets Report

So let’s talk Draft. There is a lot going on this draft, and even more to be excited about. With 3 picks in the top 20 the nuggets are in position to change their fortunes.

This draft is jam packed with potential. First off, the superstar potential that is expected to go within the first two picks. I’m talking Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram. Of course, with our top pick being lucky number 7 its unlikely we pick up either of these two great studs. But with some fancy wheeling and dealing, nuggets GM Tim Connelly, can possibly find himself dealing with the number 1 or 2 pick. This would take some serious dismantling of our current roster, in other words it will come with a serious cost. In turn we get a chance at the next super star or at least someone who will bring in a crowd, which is exactly what the nuggets need at this point. Someone, who will attract fans back into the Pepsi Center, and give the nuggets a shot at their former post-season glory.

What exactly are the costs though? Well fortunately the nuggets are in prime position to make a trade and get the deal done. With standout players like Will Barton, Nikola Jokic and Kenneth Faried currently under contract they can sweeten nearly any deal. Personally I am a Joker fan, so keeping away from any deal that involves him would be best. To start off the bidding process I think the nuggets have a good chance at the Number 2 pick owned by the Lakers. Though I find it hard to see them giving up this type of pick/star potential. I think a package including center Jusuf Nurkic, Maninmal Kenneth Faried and our 7^th pick overall could draw some interest. For one the Lakers are in serious need of a Big man, someone who fills the lane and is a bruiser on the block, In comes Nurkic. They could also use some energy, someone who will plays monstrous Defense and makes the highlight reel, cue in Kenneth Faried and the potential of a 7^th overall pick. This is probably the highest I’d like to see the nuggets bid, but adding a couple more prospects to gain that pick and the potential superstar that comes with it could be seen as a good risk.

This is only one proposed trade among many the nuggets could make; personally it’s my favorite due to the likelihood of grabbing someone like Simmons or Ingram.  Though it’s not their only option, to make a big trade or get rid of any talent to gain another. They have plenty of potential right now with their current roster. Players like Mudiay, Gary Harris, Will Barton, Gallo, and my favorite the Joker Nikola Jokic, all are amazing players and showed plenty of capabilities to make a run of the post season. For instance I saw a lot of growth among the young players, it seemed like Gary, Mudiay and Jokic became more comfortable with each other’s playing styles. With this group it’s hard to target any specific player to go off, making it very difficult to game plan a defensive strategy, Which in a seven game series could come in handy. Though it does expose the true weakness among the team, we don’t have a superstar. Or anyone for that matter who we can rely on to win crucial games in stretches.

This Is why the nuggets are in such dire need to make a difference this off-season. They need to pick someone up who will light up scoreboards, get on highlight reels and bring the life back into the nuggets. The players who are there right now are great, but not big enough. If they plan on keeping the seventh and not changing the good things going on, someone needs to step up as that star.