The Nuggets are one victory away from their first NBA title, but they have the foundation in place to win several more, writes John Hollinger of The Athletic. Hollinger notes that the team’s core players are all in their prime with Nikola Jokic at 28, Aaron Gordon at 27, Jamal Murray at 26 and Michael Porter Jr. at 24. All four are signed for at least two more seasons, and Denver isn’t facing any significant tax issues despite having three max contracts.
The only expected loss from this year’s rotation is Bruce Brown, a free agent addition last summer, who’s expected to turn down his $6.8MM player option and test the market again. The Nuggets don’t own Brown’s Bird rights and won’t be able to compete with the offers he’s likely to receive.
They may be in the same position with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope next year, Hollinger adds. Denver worked out an extension with the veteran guard after acquiring him from Washington, but he has a $15.4MM player option for 2024/25 that he might decide to decline.
Hollinger points out that Nuggets have navigated the cap by amassing young talent on affordable contracts. Late first-round picks Christian Braun and Peyton Watson will make a combined $4.5MM next season, and they both appear ready to become consistent rotation pieces.
There’s more from Denver:
- Reggie Jackson hasn’t played much since signing with the Nuggets after a trade and a buyout in February, but the 33-year-old guard is happy to still be in the league, per Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports. Jackson thought about retiring when he was with the Pistons as persistent ankle injuries kept him off the court. “I can’t believe I’m here now,” he said. “Especially after Detroit, I wasn’t sure I wanted to play anymore and then being resurrected in L.A. (with the Clippers). The build-up there, the fun there. Then being traded, it’s coming full circle.”’
- Denver’s bench players have contributed to the championship run by not making waves about their playing time, observes Tony Jones of The Athletic. Jackson, DeAndre Jordan, Thomas Bryant, Ish Smith and others have been content with limited minutes and sometimes none at all. Jones adds that the only Nuggets player who has been unhappy with his role this season was Bones Hyland, who was traded in February.
- Ismael Kamagate, whom the Nuggets selected with the 46th pick last year, is finalizing an agreement to play for EA7 Emporio Armani Milan next season, tweets Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews. A recent report indicated that he likely wasn’t in Denver’s plans for 2023/24.
If I were Denver I would be looking how to trade away Porter and keep Brown. The play a very team oriented game and Porters favorite play is an I’ll advised three pointer.
It’s not a matter of trade Porter keep Brown, even if they traded Porter into cap space and got nothing in return they still wouldn’t have have enough cap space to retain Brown.
No one is going to want that contract, even after a relatively healthy year. He’ll probably need to prove his health again or take a leap in performance.
Porter is a good rebounder, decent ball handler and can shoot the 3. He obviously hasn’t shot it well against Miami, but they don’t face defense like Miami often. The big difference between Denver and everyone else is Jokic. There are many teams right now who would win the championship by just adding him.
Porter is SOFT…if u watch the finals and u think Porter is anything other than soft. Well good on u
Porter isn’t soft. The kid had three major back surgeries and came back from all of them. The “soft” thing to do would be to get his bag last off season then retire.
Lol, this might be my favorite post in here all time.
Salty Philly fans go home
Lol so when u have nothing go with salty Philly fan. Too bad, most know in here I’m tougher on the sixers than most. N E X T
Didn’t really mean that to hit so hard. I wasn’t thinking of Simmons at all when I typed that.
Dynasty and nuggets in the same sentence? A few hours away from a title? Someone pinch me
Based on the moves he has made to date, I assume Booth would jump at the chance to trade MPJ. His offseason targeting was all about beefing up the wings, i.e., building alternatives to MPJ (a finesse 4 playing out of position) or 3 guard lineups (with their cadre of slightly built guards).
I’ve never been a fan of MPJ’s game, but I do feel bad that at long last he appears to be buying in, and now he’s getting flack because (of all things) he’s not shooting well. He’s responding to it well, though. For guys like Malone, that’s more important. He’ll stay with him as long as he’s playing the way he is. Not when defense is at a premium though.
I was a big critic as well but Den really fit him more than any other team could – W Porter to back him down low and KCP/Brown on the wing he was free to just chuck
He Played really really well in the Laker series
Probably earned himself a years rope in Den. I imagine he’ll be the first name to parcel tho when/if Den needs to make a move in the future. We probably see them as a supertax team the next 2 years so his high AAV shouldn’t be as much burden as it would typically for a team trying to skirt the supertax line in a trade (179 mill *everybody really )
Haven’t even won ONE …..
and now we talking multiple titles !!!!!
WhoGAF ….
This is why it’s all about winning now. You can’t enjoy the ride to winning. Building a contender a winner. Enjoy the game. It’s Denver’s First One ……. Swallow that The Athletic …….
It’s always been about winning. Unless you’re the Knicks.
Congrats to the Denver Nuggets. Clearly the better team.