Strike 2: Denver Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth is probably feeling pretty good about his decisions after he watched a shorthanded Nuggets team, playing without Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Christian Braun, beat the red-hot and full strength Golden State Warriors on the road Monday night. Not a bad showing for Booth’s young guys.
Nevertheless, he shouldn’t hurt his arm patting himself on the back.
It’s not fun to acknowledge this, but if you’re a Nuggets fan, it’s time to stop trying to talk yourself into believing that this year’s Denver squad is a legit contender for the NBA title.
They are not.
This year’s Nuggets are a good, not great, basketball team. Better than most in the NBA, but not among the handful of legit contenders for the Larry O’Brien Trophy. They have the best player in the league who should (but won’t) win his fourth MVP award, and solid (offensive) role players. But until point guard Murray is the third best player on the team, these Nuggets are another second round and done outfit.
As everyone knows by now, as currently constructed, Denver doesn’t play much defense until very late in games, if then. They appear to be lacking the “hunger” that played such a big role in their NBA title run in 2023. That tends to happen to teams and players who have already won their ring. And the roster simply isn’t as good as it needs to be. The fact that they’re lacking in talent can no longer be denied.
It’s still mind boggling, and it speaks volumes about his greatness, that Jokic still has never played alongside another current NBA All-Star. Not one, not ever. Has this ever been the case with any other MVP? Remember when LeBron James needed to join two other superstars in Miami to form a “Big Three” so he could win his first ring? Other teams have tried similar paths, successfully.
All Denver has ever had is a Big One. The biggest one. And this is the future Hall of Famer’s 10th season in the league.
Fast forward to July. After this year’s postseason is over, it will be time for Booth to finally acknowledge that he and the rest of the Nuggets basketball admin have not done everything right. They were far too quick to give Michael Porter Jr. a max contract. They have not drafted future stars in guys like Peyton Watson, Hunter Tyson, Julian Strawther or even Christian Braun (who is having an excellent season by all measures). These are ordinary NBA players, all of them. While the trade acquisition of Aaron Gordon was outstanding, the free agent acquisition of Dario Saric was a complete bust (at least according to head coach Michael Malone’s playing rotation.) How many teams would still be giving back up center minutes (and a nice salary) to a well past his prime DeAndre Jordan?
They made some good under the radar moves in getting Bruce Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, but each of them outgrew this roster salary-wise. The “hunger” those guys brought hasn’t been replaced.
So when it comes time to start making roster decisions for next year, Booth and company would be right to try to keep most of the “core” together. But it will be even more important this summer to try to surround Jokic with a better supporting cast.
And that’s going to have to include trading MPJ, and perhaps one or more of his coveted young players to try to acquire a real-life NBA All-Star to pair with Jokic while Joker is still in his prime and Murray and Gordon can play significant roles. You have to give up something to get something worthwhile in return.
Including future draft picks in any deal would be very difficult if not impossible, as Denver has already traded away all but two of their future draft picks until 2031.
So who might they try to make a deal for?
First off, the salaries have to match up, which means MPJ’s almost $36 million annual average value through 2027 must fit with someone coming back salary-wise. If you include Zeke Nnaji, that adds in another $8 million per season though 2028. The younger guys with smaller contracts wouldn’t be that tough to make fits for. No one not named Jokic, Murray or Gordon should be deemed “untouchable” at this point.
The other qualifications are straightforward: 1) The incoming Nugget must have been selected as an NBA All-Star game in the past four seasons. 2) He must be seeking (and hungry for) his very first NBA title. 3) He must be a capable defender as well as a top flight three point shooter.
A guy like the aging Kevin Durant checks only two of those boxes (sort of. Durant’s not on anyone’s all-NBA Defensive team.) Denver reportedly had interest in Zach Lavine before he was traded to Sacramento, so he’s probably not available. Utah’s Lauri Markkanen would look great in a Nuggets uniform, but Utah gave up a ton to get him and he’s at the center of their rebuilding plans.
Paul George is now on this fourth different NBA team in Philadelphia, where it’s not going well. He’s available. He’s a nine-time All-Star, has been on the all-defensive team and never won a ring. But is there anything left in his tank? What about Atlanta sharpshooter Trae Young? Imagine him being traded for his best friend MPJ? Then again, he’d bring nothing more than what Murray brings, so there’s not really a fit.
Any chance the Zion Williamson thing has run its course in New Orleans? At 24 years old he might be past his injury and maturity issues. Is he worth a look? His salary currently lines up with MPJ, but rises significantly in the next few seasons.
These are just a few of the guys that Denver could and should check out. It’s up to Booth and his staff to make the right decision and pull the trigger on a big deal that could turn the Nuggets back into a true title contender.
