Denver Nuggets: After Mozgov Trade, What’s Next?
Dec 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler (21) during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 109-106. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
On Wednesday, the Denver Nuggets completed the long-rumored trade of Timofey Mozgov to Cleveland in exchange for two first-round picks. Before the season even began, Nuggets fans were hearing whispers that the organization was prepared to blow up the roster and start over if the playoffs got out of reach.
So, what to make of the Mozgov trade?
The Beginning of the End or a Hail Mary?
Is the move the basketball equivalent of yelling, “Attention, shoppers: The Denver Nuggets roster is now on sale. Hurry, because at these prices, Wilson Chandler won’t last long?” Or is this a last ditch attempt by management to shake things up in hopes of making a push towards playoff relevancy before it’s too late?
In a column by the Denver Post’s Mark Kiszla, Nuggets General Manager Tim Connelly basically flipped on the “Fire Sale” sign for his fellow GMs around the NBA. Here’s Connelly’s quote according to Kiszla:
"“We came into this season expecting to be a playoff team. At this point, we’re on the outside, looking in. We probably have a couple weeks to change that, be relevant and view ourselves as a playoff-caliber team. I’m hopeful that’s the case. But I’m also realistic to know, and honest enough with our team internally, to say: If in a couple weeks, if that’s not the case, then we have a new reality.”"
The Past as a Predictor of the Future
Look, I’m as hopeful as Connelly that the Mozgov trade was just what the doctor ordered for this hit-and-miss roster and it snaps the remaining players awake, motivating them to make an inspirational run that takes them deep into the Western Conference playoffs. But the fact is nothing the Nuggets have shown us so far this season gives me any confidence that the next few months will play out along those lines. As I’ve noted before, the Nuggets are certainly capable of playing like a contender when they are hitting shots and playing good defense. But to call this team “inconsistent” would be the understatement of the century. The fact that this deep into the season the Nuggets are a team that is just as likely to lose a game by 30 points as they are to win by 30 points means they lack an identity and a consistent will to win. Or maybe they are missing clear guidance and solid motivation from their coaching staff. Who knows?
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The bottom line is unless they win 80 percent of their games over the next two weeks, Connelly has no other option than to start dismantling this Island of Misfit Toys roster and find a way to stockpile draft picks and young prospects so the team can reboot, retool and rebuild. And, if we’re being honest, even if the team manages to win every game over the next two weeks, does anyone really believe Connelly won’t move ahead with the restructuring? It just feels like letting go of Mozgov was the first domino to fall, and short of morphing into the best team in the league over the next 14 days, nothing will stop the others from falling.
We Should Have Seen This Coming
This isn’t where I thought this team would be before the season started, but if Nuggets fans are honest with themselves, I think we all can admit we knew the dismantling of the current rosters was a strong possibility coming into the 2015 season. If the players are frustrated or disappointed to find their names being thrown around in trade talks less than two weeks into January, they have no one to blame but themselves.
The next couple of weeks will be interesting in Denver. I hold out hope that the current iteration of this team puts it together and makes a strong case for keeping the gang together. But if they don’t – and, if we’re being honest with ourselves, they probably won’t — I’m fully behind Connelly earning his paycheck as the GM of this team and wish him Godspeed in squeezing every last prospect, draft pick and nickel he can out of some of the under-performers on this year’s roster.