Beat writer Bennett Durando opens up the Nuggets Mailbag periodically during the season (and now, the offseason). You can submit a Nuggets- or NBA- related question here.
Who is the most realistic addition the Nuggets will make this offseason?
—Kevin G, Thornton
You and everybody else are wondering, Kevin. Look, if we’re going to cut right to the chase, then I appreciate your use of the word “realistic.” There are countless roster changes that would be fun to imagine, but the Nuggets simply aren’t signing Klay Thompson out of free agency this summer.
Even in a hypothetical scenario where Kentavious Caldwell-Pope declines his player option, gets offered four years at $20 million by another team, and the Nuggets elect not to exercise their Bird rights to match that offer, that does not mean they suddenly have that exact amount of money to allocate elsewhere — even if Thompson’s market somehow falls to a $20 million salary. In other words: The Nuggets can spend high to keep KCP if they so choose, but not as high to find a replacement-level starter if he leaves. The flexibility created by his departure would be access to the taxpayer mid-level exception, which is projected to be around $5.5 million. (This is what Denver used to re-sign Reggie Jackson last offseason.) Basically, the Nuggets would have about twice as much space to sign a role player.
If you’re one who wants Caldwell-Pope in Denver next season, then your potential free-agent acquisitions are limited to minimum contracts. Justin Holiday types. Aging ring chasers, perhaps. Free-agent centers who fit that description and might land somewhere between minimum and TMLE contracts — all speculation here — include Andre Drummond and Mason Plumlee. Free-agent point guards could include Spencer Dinwiddie, Cameron Payne and Kris Dunn. These players have been in the league for at least eight seasons without a title. Free-agent shooting guards include Malik Beasley and Gary Harris, if you’re into reunions.
Even a compelling young big man such as Indiana’s Jalen Smith is probably outside the realm of possibility in a post-KCP world (unless the Nuggets make trades to shed other contracts), because if Smith declines his $5.4 million player option, that would imply that he’s looking for more than the TMLE.
If Caldwell-Pope signs elsewhere and you want to push the limits of “reasonable,” how about Gordon Hayward? His salary still exceeded $30 million in 2023-24, but his contract year ended awkwardly after a trade gone wrong to the Thunder. Hayward never scored in 46 playoff minutes, leading him to express frustration with his role and Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti to subsequently admit he “missed” with the trade. Hayward’s value will likely plummet entering his 15th season, but it’s a matter of how much. He’s still a capable scorer. He’s 34, and the closest he’s ever come to winning a ring is still his half-court shot in the 2010 NCAA title game. Many of the folks at Ball Arena think highly of him.
What trades/moves do you see Denver making this offseason?
— Rip, Aurora
Future trade flexibility is also dependent on the Caldwell-Pope situation. In staying under the second apron, the Nuggets would protect their ability to aggregate salaries in a trade if KCP leaves. For instance, Jackson and Zeke Nnaji would be worth $14 million combined with Nnaji’s new extension kicking in, so those two could be aggregated for an incoming salary of up to $15.4 million (coincidentally, the same value as the player option Caldwell-Pope is expected to decline). The problem with using those players to seek an immediate roster improvement is that neither Nnaji nor Jackson accumulated much trade value this season. The Nuggets would almost definitely have to attach prospects and/or picks at the bargaining table — and they currently don’t have the ability to trade future first-rounders beyond 2024.
Where does that leave their options? I don’t expect Denver to trade Christian Braun or Peyton Watson, barring an irresistible offer. The organization feels committed to both players’ development and is encouraged by their recent strides. The No. 28 pick will be eligible to move on draft day. General manager Calvin Booth didn’t rule out trading the pick during his end-of-season news conference last week.
Then there’s the Michael Porter Jr.-sized elephant in the room. I doubt he’s going anywhere, but he’s the one major trade chip in the starting lineup that makes sense if you’re of the belief that major roster changes are an absolute necessity. He underperformed in the Minnesota series, but his value is high after showcasing his durability this season. He’s only 25. And his substantial contract can be converted into multiple smaller salaries that would benefit long-term depth.
Considering how the Nuggets were eliminated, however, and how close they were to reaching the Western Conference Finals, I have a hard time imagining them concluding that such a major change is needed. “The emotional reaction to losing cannot force you to make emotional decisions,” Michael Malone said last week. It would be acting out of character for a patient franchise to react so strongly to one close series.
What should be the top 3-4 priorities for Nuggets management during this offseason?
— Ed Helinski, Auburn, N.Y.
OK, “should” is a very different question from the last two. Generally speaking, I would list the roster needs in this order. And for what it’s worth, the answers to these needs could theoretically be found externally or internally.
Secondary ball-handler and play-maker off the bench
Backup center (capable rim protector would be a perk)
Supplemental 3-point shooting (Denver ranked 30th in 3-point volume in 2023-24)
Ultimately, it’s worth remembering that Denver tied for the second-best record in the NBA this season, so the priorities are mostly depth-related tweaks, not significant holes.
To what extent will the return of Vlatko Cancar be used in the rotation next system? Will he be used as a backup center and could he be a useful answer to that question?
—Elliot, Brighton
A healthy Cancar would be a significant boost for the Nuggets’ depth for sure. He’s a versatile frontcourt option and could certainly occupy some minutes at backup five, though Denver would encounter the same issue it already has when Nnaji or even Aaron Gordon plays center. Small bench lineups can be effective, but they also tend to sacrifice rim protection, which is already lacking in a Nikola Jokic-led starting unit. If lockdown defense is the top priority for a bench identity, then shot-blocking (or at least an interior presence that makes opponents think twice) should be part of that. You can’t depend entirely on a wing for those attributes, as good as Peyton Watson is at it. Whether or not Cancar can play the five, I think the Nuggets need to figure out how to add another more traditional center.
LeBron to Denver, could it happen?
— Tom, Highlands Ranch
Burn a draft pick on Bronny James, cross your fingers that his dad decides that’s enough to uproot his Los Angeles life and take less than his max contract’s worth to finish his career in Denver, sacrifice Porter and Caldwell-Pope and maybe more down the road to carry three massive salaries and minimal depth. Who says no?
