Torrey Craig has established himself as a menace defensively but the Nuggets still have a tough decision regarding the swingman, as Mike Singer of The Denver Post explains. Craig is headed to restricted free agency and his playing time this season fluctuated due to his offensive limitations. However, Craig had some big moments as the season wore on and he’s a valuable reserve due to his pesky style, Singer adds. The team can make him a restricted FA by extending a $2.5MM qualifying offer.
We have more on the Nuggets:
- Backup point guard Monte Morris has emerged as a key locker room voice, according to Singer. Morris is candid with the media and refuses to accept excuses such as injuries or absences during losses. Morris, who has a non-guaranteed $1.7MM contract next season, contributed on the court with his solid assist-to-turnover ratio and savvy decision making, Singer adds.
- Michael Porter Jr. saw wild fluctuations in his playing time but the Nuggets haven’t lost any confidence in the rookie forward, who sat out the 2018/19 season due to back surgery, Kyle Fredrickson of the Denver Post writes. Coach Michael Malone said Porter got frustrated at times and was bothered by an ankle injury prior to the hiatus but can still become a “great” player. “He’s shown all of us what he can do,” Malone said. “Now, the challenge is to help him do that on a more consistent basis.”
- The team has reportedly chosen Calvin Booth as its GM and Malone wholeheartedly endorses the promotion, Fredrickson reports in the same story. “He works his butt off, is very detailed and organized. … I have complete confidence in Calvin Booth if he’s selected,” Malone said. “I would be shocked if he wasn’t.”
Kick the tires on a Jrue Holiday trade.
If that fails
Gary Harris, Micheal Porter Jr, Keira Bates-Diop and two first round picks for Donovan Mitchell, Joe Ingles and Ed Davis.
Nuggets get a starting 5 of Murray Mitchell Ingles Grant and Jokic with Morris Barton Craig Millsap and Davis on the bench. They have youth mixed with older guys, they have scorers mixed with defenders and they have depth.
Jazz get a 5 of Conley Harris Porter Bogdan and Gobert. Harris is a nice replacement for Mitchell, Porter is a very solid young player who has great potential and they get two first round picks. They will be a team that can win now and has a bright future ahead.
No way! MPJ is untouchable!
Murray MPJ and Jokic I don’t think work together on the court. To much offence and no defence.
Meh. A lot of different ways to win games. MPJ is too good to trade.
Specially for someone like Mitchell, MPJ can be better than him & Mitchell ain’t average defender neither! Yep MPJ is too good to trade!
Served Porter well to go to Denver. So called big market teams. May not not have been as patient. He’s a solid talent at 3. I think he’s still getting healthy basketball wise. He still getting better. And Mitchell ain’t going nowhere.
Should Monte Morris be starting? He plays so smoothly while at speed. His 2nd year was amazing but this last 3rd year levelled at best. A starting job might smooth things out… he could have a year like Devontae Graham or Kendrick Nunn.