Want free-agent fireworks? They’re probably not going to happen in Denver.
Not while the Nuggets are still soaking in the afterglow of the franchise’s first championship.
The biggest decision looming over the Nuggets’ free-agency plans remains Bruce Brown, and the $7.8 million Denver can offer its sixth man.
The Nuggets don’t have full Bird rights on Brown and are thus hindered on how much they can offer him this summer. Other teams — and there are expected to be many Brown suitors — can offer more. One team with significant interest in Brown, according to multiple sources, is the Los Angeles Lakers, who were swept by the Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals.
Brown could command the full mid-level exception (worth $12.4 million annually) from non-taxpaying teams, or it’s possible a team, like Houston or Sacramento, signs him using cap space. That could mean an even larger deal for Brown.
If that’s what Brown ultimately decides when free agency opens on at 4 p.m. Friday and players can make verbal agreements with teams, it’d be hard to fault him.
Brown’s made just over $15 million in his career. If he accepts a below-market deal to stay in Denver, the Nuggets could offer him a more lucrative deal next summer, which could end up being roughly the same as what he garners elsewhere. The problem, from Brown’s perspective, would be deferring his substantial payday for a season. An injury could jeopardize his promising position.
Despite telling The Post he wanted to return to Denver, Brown’s never had this much interest. He famously lasted until the second day of free agency last offseason before the Nuggets seized on the chance to land the versatile guard. In Denver, Brown played the best version of himself – a roving, versatile defender, capable outside shooter, and swarming transition player.
Brown has to ask himself whether another team could feature him like the Nuggets did, or if that even matters to him. Perhaps a starting role would be a significant carrot for him and one Denver couldn’t imminently offer.
If Brown were to leave, the Nuggets know replacing him, as a tax-paying team with minimal resources available to them, would be extremely difficult.
That’s why the core of their offseason plan involves internal improvement, according to multiple sources.
The new CBA includes a second apron, which is about $17.5 million above the luxury tax line ($165 million). If the Nuggets exceeded that mark, they wouldn’t have access to their taxpayer exception (worth $5 million) and would be even more hampered in free agency.
Due to financial restrictions, both now and in the future, the Nuggets have to try to retain their own players and develop their draft picks. The Nuggets were thrilled to land gunner Julian Strawther from Gonzaga and were equally excited about Jalen Pickett, the crafty guard from Penn State.
Pickett’s made a positive early impression on team officials, sources said. If Brown leaves, his ball-handling could fill the void in the backcourt. There’s also a belief that second-year wings Christian Braun and Peyton Watson will see their roles elevate. Team officials remain high on both of them.
Nuggets GM Calvin Booth told The Post earlier this week he wanted to bring back the majority of the team’s free agents. Heading into Friday afternoon, Brown, Jeff Green, Reggie Jackson, DeAndre Jordan, Ish Smith and Thomas Bryant were all set to be free agents.
While the team awaits Brown’s decision, it’s optimistic about returning Jackson and Jordan and would welcome Green’s return as well. Green, though, could command other offers after a strong postseason run.
Regardless of what transpires on Friday, the Nuggets will return, at minimum, six of their top eight rotation players from a championship-level roster. That alone should give Denver grounds to compete for another one.
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