PG: Ty Lawson/Erick Green
SG: Emmanuel Mudiay/Randy Foye/Gary Harris/Jamaal Franklin
SF: Danilo Gallinari/Wilson Chandler
PF: Kenneth Faried/J.J. Hickson/Joffery Lauvergne
C: Jusef Nurkic/Nikola Jokic
2015 Free Agents
G/F Will Barton (RFA)
G Ian Clark (RFA)
PF Darrell Arthur
PG Jameer Nelson (player option)
What They Did On Draft Night
Drafted Congolese-American point guard Emmanuel Mudiay 7th overall
The Nuggets had considered trading up for Mudiay, but lucked out when who I considered to be the second best prospect in the draft, fell to them at pick seven. Emmanuel Mudiay is a perfect fit for Denver's situation and team; he'll allow them to move on from Ty Lawson, getting value from him via trade while also having a prospect with better long-term potential at point guard than Lawson. Mudiay should flourish in Denver because Mike Malone should help him get the most out of his immense defensive potential while also playing to his strengths on offense. Mudiay is terrific fast-breaking in the open floor, which is what the Nuggets want to do in the altitude.When they do get in the half-court, Mudiay excels running pick-and-roll and he'll have plenty of opportunities with some good partners with which to run it. Pick-and-roll should be the bread-and-butter of Denver's halfcourt offense for years to come, which sets the direction they should be heading towards when acquiring players: efficient pick-and-roll players that are good at both starting and finishing fast breaks.
Drafted Serbian point guard Nikola Radicevic 57th overall
Radicevic, who played with fellow draftees Kristaps Porzingis and Guillermo Henangomez at Sevilla, isn't likely to come to the NBA anytime soon but has some potential when he does. A big point guard that is good running pick-and-roll, Radicevic is similar to Mudiay in several ways, though not as good of an athlete or finisher. He is a good lateral athlete though, which combined with his size gives him the potential to be an above-average defender. Where he needs to improve is shooting from range, he made just 25% of his shots in the ACB last season. For a 57th overall pick, Radicevic has better than average odds to make it to the NBA as a backup point guard.
What To Do Next?
Denver needs to figure out which players they are keeping and whom they want to move on from. Lawson is most likely out the door, giving Mudiay a chance to start early on and the Nuggets really should try to get what they can for Faried, who isn't that good of a player and is vastly overpaid. There have been rumors that Gallinari is also on the block, but I am not sure why they would want to. Gallinari is a good player, just 26, and on a good contract. After trades, Denver should target younger players to grow with the core of Mudiay, Nurkic, and possibly Gallinari. Justin Holiday is an athletic wing with solid defensive, ball-handling, and shooting potential. He could duplicate a lot of what Will Barton gave them last year, but with better chance of making outside shots. Derrick Williams would also be an interesting potential lottery ticket. He has always been very good getting out in transition and if he develops a jumpshot, they could have a nice fit for that they want to do.
What They Did On Draft Night
Drafted Congolese-American point guard Emmanuel Mudiay 7th overall
The Nuggets had considered trading up for Mudiay, but lucked out when who I considered to be the second best prospect in the draft, fell to them at pick seven. Emmanuel Mudiay is a perfect fit for Denver's situation and team; he'll allow them to move on from Ty Lawson, getting value from him via trade while also having a prospect with better long-term potential at point guard than Lawson. Mudiay should flourish in Denver because Mike Malone should help him get the most out of his immense defensive potential while also playing to his strengths on offense. Mudiay is terrific fast-breaking in the open floor, which is what the Nuggets want to do in the altitude.When they do get in the half-court, Mudiay excels running pick-and-roll and he'll have plenty of opportunities with some good partners with which to run it. Pick-and-roll should be the bread-and-butter of Denver's halfcourt offense for years to come, which sets the direction they should be heading towards when acquiring players: efficient pick-and-roll players that are good at both starting and finishing fast breaks.
Drafted Serbian point guard Nikola Radicevic 57th overall
Radicevic, who played with fellow draftees Kristaps Porzingis and Guillermo Henangomez at Sevilla, isn't likely to come to the NBA anytime soon but has some potential when he does. A big point guard that is good running pick-and-roll, Radicevic is similar to Mudiay in several ways, though not as good of an athlete or finisher. He is a good lateral athlete though, which combined with his size gives him the potential to be an above-average defender. Where he needs to improve is shooting from range, he made just 25% of his shots in the ACB last season. For a 57th overall pick, Radicevic has better than average odds to make it to the NBA as a backup point guard.
What To Do Next?
Denver needs to figure out which players they are keeping and whom they want to move on from. Lawson is most likely out the door, giving Mudiay a chance to start early on and the Nuggets really should try to get what they can for Faried, who isn't that good of a player and is vastly overpaid. There have been rumors that Gallinari is also on the block, but I am not sure why they would want to. Gallinari is a good player, just 26, and on a good contract. After trades, Denver should target younger players to grow with the core of Mudiay, Nurkic, and possibly Gallinari. Justin Holiday is an athletic wing with solid defensive, ball-handling, and shooting potential. He could duplicate a lot of what Will Barton gave them last year, but with better chance of making outside shots. Derrick Williams would also be an interesting potential lottery ticket. He has always been very good getting out in transition and if he develops a jumpshot, they could have a nice fit for that they want to do.
A bonus trade sure not to happen
Faried (or Gallinari) and Lawson to Boston for Avery Bradley, Kelly Olynyk, and Gerald Wallace
Follow me on Twitter @double_tech
Follow me on Twitter @double_tech
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