Denver Nuggets Armchair GM: How To Get Back To Playoffs
By Len Nunes
Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
The NBA Draft and free agency are mere weeks away. An exciting and nervous time for NBA fans of all teams. Who will come in the draft? Who will opt out of their contracts? What is our General Manager going to accomplish this summer via trade or free agency? Please allow me to get comfortable in my armchair GM role, and remember, if you think I’m right or wrong, you can tell me directly in the comment section.
When I look at the Denver Nuggets roster, the one player that raises my blood pressure the most is JaVale McGee. Yes, I understand he’s a freak of nature athletically. No, I do not have much patience left when it comes to waiting for the 26 year old McGee to stop acting like a college student. That said, I am not ready to hand the reigns over to Timmy Mozgov as my starting center…yet. Maybe one more year under a center better known for his defence than his athleticism. I speak of Indiana’s center Roy Hibbert. Here’s where a perfect storm is brewing in Indiana if you are a Nuggets fan. Roy Hibbert was a media scapegoat throughout much of the latter part of the season and playoffs. Lance Stephenson, a free agent shooting guard this summer, may be allowed to test free agency because of his on and off the court antics.
"My first move as aremchair GM:Trade C JaVale McGee, SG Randy Foye, 2015 1st round draft choice to Indiana for C Roy Hibbert, 2015 1st round draft choice."
Since I just traded away my starting shooting guard and do not want to hand the spot to a not-ready Evan Fournier, it’s time to draft a shooting guard.
"My second move as armchair GM:With the #11 pick in the NBA Draft, the Denver Nuggets select SG Nik Stauskas"
Since I just called Evan Fournier not-ready for a starting role, then a freshly drafted Nik Stauskas is also not ready for big minutes. Let’s go find another shooting guard.
"My third move as armchair GM:Trade both Denver 2nd round picks to New York Knicks for SG Iman Shumpert."
Unabashedly, I am a fan of Lawson and Robinson as a 1-2 punch at the point guard position. Surprisingly, I really enjoyed how Aaron Brooks just seemed to fit. As much as I love Nate, there are nights he needs to stay stapled to the bench. Would Brooks sign a one year deal to play an average of 8-12 minutes a game?
"My fourth move as armchair GM:Re-sign PG Aaron Brooks to a one year contract."
I do not want to enter the season with Kenneth Faried, JJ Hickson, and Darrel Arthur all at the four. It’s going to be as awkward as last season with Coach Shaw trying to blend the three together to get them their minutes. With Hickson recovering from surgery, trading him would be difficult before he gets some regular season games under his belt. I know that earlier I traded an injured JaVale McGee but the ceiling on McGee is much higher. So my Christmas present to Coach Shaw will be trading away JJ Hickson for another moving part. A moving part that is younger and cheaper. I believe the phrase is “lateral move”.
"My final moves heading into the 2014-15 season as armchair GM:Extend PF Kenneth Faried and guarantee the contract of Quincy Miller"
I make no mentions of small forwards because a season of Gallo and Chandler sharing the three excites me. I let it be known to coach Shaw that on those nights my three young shooting guards are struggling, Mr. Chandler can pick up some minutes at the two. 2014-15 will be make or break for Miller, playing Chandler at the 2 will give Miller some minutes outside of garbage time. Anthony Randolph won’t be here for the 2015-16 season.
Remember fans, feel free to use the comment section to fill out your armchair GM “to-do list”.