The Denver Nuggets are moving closer to one of the most anticipated seasons in franchise history.
Today begins a three-week series in advance of Media Day on September 29th. With 14 players on the roster and a new mix of players to discuss, it’s important to remember who the Nuggets have, who they don’t have, and what to expect heading into October.
Up first, a discussion about the open roster spot.
Whenever a team has an open roster spot, there’s always a rush and clamor to figure out why. Why do the Nuggets only have 14 players on the roster? Are they waiting for someone specific? Can they not decide who to add? Are they just being cheap?
The most likely answer is none of the above. There are specific constraints to adding a 15th player for the Nuggets, both financially and competitively.
Financially, the Nuggets are roughly $400,000 over the luxury tax, and there’s a chance that getting out of the tax this year could allow the Nuggets to spend more money in future seasons. It saves ownership money, which shouldn’t necessarily matter to fans but is a part of the overall investment from ownership.
Competitively, the Nuggets have just over $2.8 million in space below the first tax apron. Staying under that figure allows the Nuggets some advantages in making trades, pursuing free agents in the buyout market, and more.
The team could stay under that $2.8 million in space and still bring back one of Russell Westbrook or DeAndre Jordan though, so why haven’t they?
Westbrook’s lone season in Denver was a positive experience, but the roller coaster of highs and lows was sometimes difficult to manage for everyone involved. Westbrook is both the player who made clutch shots and plays in the first round playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers, as well as the player whose errors lost Denver a crucial game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Westbrook had reported interest with the Sacramento Kings but remains unsigned, and nothing from the Nuggets suggests they’re interested in re-upping at this point.
Jordan is entering his 18th NBA season. He played the sage veteran role for the Nuggets over the last three years, but it appears that time is coming to an end. Perhaps the Nuggets make a surprising late signing before training camp. However, with Jonas Valanciunas on the roster, the Nuggets probably don’t need Jordan as the emergency center he’s been for the past three years.
So, what’s next? What are Denver’s options?
They could be waiting to elevate a two-way player to a roster spot and then adding a new two-way to the roster. Spencer Jones, Tamar Bates, and Curtis Jones are Denver’s two-ways currently. While all three showed flashes of NBA caliber play at Summer League in July, it would likely take more in training camp or preseason to make an impression worthy of the 15th spot.
Denver could add a veteran free agent on a minimum contract. They could even technically add a player using the $5.7 million Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception, though that would send the Nuggets directly over the first apron.
Denver could trade for a player on a small contract without sending anyone back. That could be a unique way to help an opposing team save money while Denver adds a player they like and could use in the present or future.
The Nuggets could also simply go into the season with 14 players. It’s not the worst idea in the world, particularly because it’s difficult to know what the Nuggets actually need. They might want some point guard depth. They might want a third center. An injury to a wing or forward could open some play time there. We just don’t know.
Ultimately, I think that’s the path Denver will choose. They don’t need 15 players right now. There’s a push to play young players like Peyton Watson, Julian Strawther, DaRon Holmes II, and Jalen Pickett to see some internal development. That becomes more challenging when the Nuggets add another player they want to play.
Waiting to see how the season unfolds, which young players have stepped up their game over the summer, and banking on the possibility of an injury makes sense from Denver’s current position.
We will see if that changes in the next three weeks.
