Denver Nuggets Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Nuggets Notes: Miller, Fournier, Brooks

April 8th, 2014 at 5:38pm CST by Cray Allred

The Nuggets aren’t worried about playoff seeding for the first time in over a decade. Instead, their fans can monitor the reverse standings to see what Denver’s lottery odds will be, heading into a promising draft class. Here’s more from Denver:

Coach Brian Shaw thinks the Nuggets have to alter their roster this summer, but he doesn’t think the change needs to be sweeping, as he told reporters today, including Chris Dempsey of The Denver Post. Shaw is looking for one or two players from inside or outside the organization “to come to the forefront as leaders,” and he’d like to have a perimeter “lock down defender,” Dempsey notes (All five Twitter links here).
While Denver plays out the season, losing six of their last seven, Shaw tells Dempsey in a separate piece that what happens on the court still matters, “There’s a lot of things that we can learn from,” Shaw said. Dempsey highlights recent performances by 21-year-olds Quincy Miller and Evan Fournier, who have been improving their play.
Aaron Brooks‘ strong play since joining the Nuggets in a midseason trade has increased his market value. The sixth-year point guard tells Aaron J. Lopez of Nuggets.com that he hasn’t ruled out re-signing with Denver next season, despite the presence of Ty Lawson and Nate Robinson on the roster. “Any place that has me, I’ll be happy,” Brooks said. “I like it here. It’s kind of jammed at the point guard spot, but I like it here. They have a good team coming back.”

Chuck Myron contributed to this post.

Latest On Kenneth Faried

April 8th, 2014 at 3:37pm CST by Chuck Myron

The Nuggets asked a handful of teams six months ago whether they’d be interested in acquiring Kenneth Faried in exchange for a 2014 first-rounder or an attractive wing player on a rookie contract, sources tell Grantland’s Zach Lowe. Faried has improved measurably this season, as Lowe details, and while the power forward tells Lowe that he and the Nuggets haven’t talked about an extension, which he’d be eligible to sign this summer, Faried adds that he’d like to stay in Denver.

Lowe’s report adds credence to early-season rumors about a trade involving Faried and Iman Shumpert of the Knicks. Part of the reason the Nuggets made those calls was out of fear that Faried and agent Thad Foucher would seek and find an offer with eight-figure salaries when the former 22nd overall pick hits restricted free agency in 2015, Lowe writes. It’s unclear how much the Nuggets value Faried now, but Nuggets GM Tim Connelly spoke highly of Faried recently, and coach Brian Shaw referred to Faried and Ty Lawson as the team’s cornerstones. Lawson is in the midst of a four-year, $48MM extension he signed when Masai Ujiri was still Denver’s GM.

Faried’s name was in rumors off and on before the deadline, and he said after the deadline passed that the chatter gave him confidence that other NBA teams think of him as a commodity. Executives around the league view him differently than they did before the season, according to Lowe, but his defense continues to be a weak spot. Still, the 24-year-old has become an efficient post-up player and remains a threat on the offensive glass, so the negotiations that he and Foucher have with the Nuggets figure to be among the most intriguing of the offseason.

Southwest Notes: Roberts, Hamilton, Machado

April 7th, 2014 at 5:25pm CST by Zachary Links

Here’s a look at the latest out of the Southwest Division..

Brian Roberts achieved a key milestone Sunday, starting his 41st game for the Pelicans this season. That means he’s met the NBA’s starter criteria for restricted free agents, and the value of his qualifying offer surged from $1,115,243 to $3,450,156, as we detailed. It’ll be interesting to see if that prompts New Orleans to decline to make that qualifying offer for a player who’d likely return to a backup role behind a healthy Jrue Holiday next season. Without the qualifying offer, Roberts would become an unrestricted free agent.
The Nuggets did not pick up the fourth-year option on Jordan Hamilton’s contract before the season, assuring he will be a free agent this summer, but he’s making the most of his situation now with the Rockets. “It’s a contract year, so I’m definitely auditioning for whoever,” Hamilton said, according to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. “I just have to come out every day and just play my ‘A’ game every chance I get when I’m out there. This is a great team, a great group of young guys. I’m young (24), as well. I think I would fit right in next year. I need to stay in shape and do all the little things they want me to do. This is a good situation.” Hamilton, who came to Houston in exchange for Aaron Brooks, went on to say complimentary things about coach Kevin McHale and the rest of the staff for helping him grow as a player.
Former Rockets guard Scott Machado has signed in France with ASVEL Basket, according to a tweet from Emiliano Carchia of Sportando. The team has also confirmed the signing via press release (French link).

Chuck Myron contributed to this post.

And-Ones: Faried, Draft, Gay

April 6th, 2014 at 12:24pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Kenneth Faried is headed toward the final year of his rookie-scale contract and will be a restricted free agent in the summer of 2015. Re-signing him to an extension this summer will certainly cost the Nuggets, but figuring out what he’s worth is the harder question, writes Christopher Dempsey of The Denver Post. The article analyzes what the top power forwards are paid, and Faried’s financial place amongst them. In 74 games this season, Faried has averaged 13.2 PPG, 8.2 RPG, and 1.2 APG in 26.6 minutes per contest.

Nuggets Links: Faried, Lawson, Karl

April 3rd, 2014 at 5:01pm CST by Chuck Myron

The Nuggets won 57 games last season, but Monday’s loss to the Grizzlies ensures they’ll have a losing record in 2013/14. The focus in Denver is on boomeranging back up the standings next year, and we’ll run down the latest:

Kenneth Faried‘s name was in plenty of trade rumors earlier this season, and he’s up for a rookie scale extension this summer, but Nuggets GM Tim Connelly tells Terry Frei of The Denver Post that he values the energetic power forward highly. “In the last six weeks of the season, there are only a handful of players in the league who have been better than Kenneth Faried,” Connelly said. “He rebounds like he’s 7-feet tall. His intensity and toughness overcomes his lack of size. His shooting percentage is high. And, of course, his energy level in contagious. In a lot of ways, Faried determines how we play.”
Coach Brian Shaw considers Faried and Ty Lawson the team’s “cornerstones,” as fellow Post scribe Chris Dempsey observes.
Sean Deveney of The Sporting News profiles several potential head coaching candidates with a slideshow and suggests former Nuggets coach George Karl‘s willingness to take a discount will determine whether he returns to an NBA bench next season.

Northwest Notes: Hayward, Nuggets, Blazers

March 30th, 2014 at 8:06pm CST by Cray Allred

Meyers Leonard hasn’t seen much playing time in his second year with the Trail Blazers, and tells Scott Powers of ESPNChicago.com that he believes focusing on his defensive play over the summer will help him earn his way back into the rotation. “This year has been hard for me. I have to learn to play defense. I’ve rebounded the ball a lot better. But my defense has to continue to improve.” says Leonard. Here’s more from the Northwest Division:

Allen Crabbe has been recalled by the Trail Blazers after his latest D-League assignment, the team announced.
Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin would like to have Marvin Williams back next year, as Bill Ingram of Basketball Insiders notes. “I think it would be great [to bring Williams back]. Who knows what will happen, but he’s a great guy to have on the squad,” Corbin said. Williams will be an unrestricted free agent, and the Jazz reportedly turned away an offer of a first round draft pick for the forward near the trade deadline.
Jazz forward Gordon Hayward tells Aaron Falk of The Salt Lake Tribune that his summer as a restricted free agent is in the back of his mind. Hayward believes he has what it takes to be paid and perform like the team’s primary option. “You definitely have to have a swag,” Hayward said. “You have to play with confidence. You have to know that you’re one of the best guys on the court and play like it too. … It’s something that I embrace. It’s a challenge, but it’s something that I’m excited about.” Hayward and Utah were unable to agree upon an extension before this season, setting up this summer’s uncertainty.
Nuggets GM Tim Connelly hasn’t ruled out re-signing either Aaron Brooks or Jan Vesely next year, he tells Terry Frei of The Denver Post. “Aaron’s been fantastic,” Connelly said. “We were really fortunate that he showed some faith in us by waiving that no-trade clause. I think with Jan, that last game (against Washington on Sunday) was the best game he has played for us. Unfortunately, he went down with an injury. Both those guys were brought here to help us get through the season, but also to evaluate them for next season as well.” Denver acquired both at the trade deadline.

Northwest Notes: Rubio, Love, Nuggets, Crabbe

March 25th, 2014 at 7:03pm CST by Charlie Adams

With the Timberwolves’ loss to Memphis last night, Minnesota appears to be all but officially eliminated from playoff contention. Hollinger’s Playoff Odds at ESPN.com now have the team making the postseason 0% of the time in 5,000 simulations of 2013/14’s remaining schedule. Here’s more on the Wolves and the rest of the NBA’s Northwest Division:

Ricky Rubio wants to remain in Minnesota, but he also wants to take part in the playoffs, as he tells Nacho Albarran of As.com (translation via HoopsHype). Rubio, who’ll become eligible to sign an extension in the offseason, predicts that 2015 free agent Kevin Love will stay with the Timberwolves.
The Nuggets are another Northwest club set to miss the postseason, but coach Brian Shaw is excited for what his squad will be capable of next season now that they understand the system he’s putting in place, writes Jeff Caplan of NBA.com. “Everybody now has an understanding of exactly what I expect of them, how we want to play and what we want to do going forward,” said Shaw. “I’ve said that this is going to be a year of discovery to really understand what it is that we have to work with“
The Blazers have assigned Allen Crabbe to the D-League, the team announced. It will be Crabbe’s second such assignment this season. The rookie has averaged 2.1 points in a meager 5.1 minutes per contest this season for Portland, but he’ll be in line to see more playing time for the D-League’s Idaho Stampede.
Gordon Monson of the Salt Lake Tribune thinks that Jazz fans should blame coach Tyrone Corbin for Utah’s lack of overall enthusiasm in recent weeks. The club has won just four of its last 19 games and figures to finish the season near the bottom of the Western Conference standings.

Chuck Myron contributed to this post.

Eastern Notes: Plumlee, Heat, Miller

March 22nd, 2014 at 9:13pm CST by Cray Allred

Brook Lopez recently underwent ankle surgery while sitting out the year for a foot injury, and Kevin Garnett is sidelined for at least a few more games due to back spasms. The Nets frontcourt woes have been alleviated by rookie Mason Plumlee‘s performance at center, writes Stefan Bondy of New York Daily News. “He’s growing each time he takes the floor,” coach Jason Kidd told Bondy. “The more minutes he gets, the better he gets. It’s fun to watch. Mason is a big part of our success right now.” Here’s more from around the East:

Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel doesn’t think the Heat‘s choice to trade away Roger Mason Jr. has worked out well for the roster. The opened spot was recently filled by Justin Hamilton, but Winderman wonders if the Heat had their eye on a veteran player that didn’t pan out when they sent Mason to the Kings.
Wizards point guard Andre Miller spoke to Christopher Dempsey of The Denver Post some more about his falling out with the Nuggets. He maintains that he was unfairly portrayed to the media, and says he was surprised at how long of a process it was for him to get moved. “Yeah, I sat out for a while. But I had some time to reflect on what happened and was pretty much told to keep my mouth closed. I just worked out and tried to keep myself ready for whatever happens,” said Miller.
Willis Reed says the Knicks “won the lottery” by getting Phil Jackson to come take over their front office, he tells Fred Kerber of The New York Post. Reed was pessimistic about New York’s chances to sign Jackson considering his connections to the Lakers organization, but is happy they did.
Tom Moore of The Burlington County Times asked Sixers coach Brett Brown whether second year guard Tony Wroten can overcome some of his decision making deficiencies and earn a long term place with the team. “I don’t know. It’s his development. We talk to him and show him. We try to teach him. He has shown subtle signs of improvement. But the magic word or coaching trick to have him not do that entirely — I do not know,” said Brown. Philadelphia holds a $2.2MM team option for Wroten’s 2015/16 season.

J.J. Hickson Out For Season

March 22nd, 2014 at 5:48pm CST by Cray Allred

J.J. Hickson is out for the year after tearing his ACL last night against the Mavericks, per a team release. The five-year veteran has averaged 11.8 points and 9.2 rebounds for the Nuggets this season, serving as Denver’s starting center in a majority of their games. Hickson is in the first year of a three-year, $16MM contract.

The Nuggets already have the maximum of 15 guaranteed roster spots filled, so they won’t be adding any players to plug into the rotation. The absence of Hickson will open up significant playing time for Jan Vesely, whom the Nuggets acquired from the Wizards at the trade deadline as part of the Andre Miller three-team deal. Aaron J. Lopez of Nuggets.com writes that coach Brian Shaw was already planning to give Vesely a closer look as the season winds down, but a thinner frontcourt will ensure that happens.

Vesely has been a disappointment for most of his career after being taken as the sixth overall selection in the 2011 draft by the Wizards. He’s shooting .488 from the field and a dismal .279 from the free throw stripe, percentages that have dropped each year in his career. Vesely’s athleticism has never been in question, but his raw ability has remained unpolished to this point.

Northwest Notes: Westbrook, Nuggets, Jazz

March 22nd, 2014 at 10:06am CST by Cray Allred

Kevin Durant likely regained the lead for the MVP last night, leading the Thunder to a double-OT victory over the Raptors by hitting a game-winning three that put him over 50 points for the second time this season. It wasn’t all good news for Oklahoma City, though, as Russell Westbrook had to leave the game after a collision with Kyle Lowry against the same knee he’s had three recent surgeries on. Here are some notes from the Northwest Division:

After the game, Westbrook was positive, telling reporters including Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman that he felt no pain and doesn’t expect to miss time. Westbrook first hurt the knee in the first round of last year’s playoffs. He played through that game and expressed similar optimism before being ruled out for the postseason. Last night’s injury was officially ruled a sprained knee, and he will be re-evaluated today.
While former Nuggets GM Masai Ujiri, now guiding the Raptors, is routinely mentioned as one of the best executives in the league, Mark Kiszla of The Denver Post says that Ujiri is responsible for one of the worst trades in Denver’s history. Sending away Arron Afflalo and a first-round pick for one year of Andre Iguodala set the franchise back in Kiszla’s eyes.
The Jazz will be joining the Las Vegas Summer League this year and leaving the Orlando league, per Steve Carp of the Las Vegas Review-Journal (H/T Jody Genessy of The Deseret News). The team decided to switch leagues because the logistics of conducting team activities on the East Coast can be challenging and limiting.