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Off Season Priority for Denver: Sign a Rim Protector

By Mathew Huff

Apr 9, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) reacts during the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) reacts during the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 2, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Denver Nuggets center Mason Plumlee (24) slam dunks against Miami Heat forward Willie Reed (35) during the first half at the American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Denver Nuggets center Mason Plumlee (24) slam dunks against Miami Heat forward Willie Reed (35) during the first half at the American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

With the Plumlee experiment not looking promising, Denver is in dire need of a rim protector.

When Jusuf Nurkic was traded from Denver for Mason Plumlee, many people including myself thought it would work out for both sides. Unfortunately, the Mason Plumlee experiment did not yield the same results for the Nuggets as Nurkic did for the Trail Blazers.

With this in mind, it is clear what one of the off season priorities needs to be going forward. Obviously a lot of this will depend on what the Nuggets decide to do with Plumlee’s contract, but it is still worth discussing. With one of the worst defenses in the league, the Nuggets need to target a solid rim protector.

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Nikola Jokic is great and has made great strides, but protecting the paint is still something he struggles with mightily. This does not necessarily mean they need a star in this respect like a Paul Millsap or Blake Griffin, although that would help, but someone like Nerlens Noel would fit the bill perfectly. Other rim protectors that would be beneficial are players like Zach Randolph from Memphis, UCLA’s Ike Anigbogu if he does decide to declare for the NBA draft, or even San Antonio’s Dewayne Dedmond provided the Spurs do not lock him up long term.

The Nuggets were bullied many times in the paint this year whenever they went up against elite post players like DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis, Rudy Gobert, and Marc Gasol. As a result, Denver needs to sign a defensive presence to help anchor the paint with Nikola Jokic. This isn’t to say Mason Plumlee and Kenneth Faried are scrubs, but defense is definitely not their strong point.

If the Nuggets draft a rim protector with a high ceiling or even land a high caliber player who can protect the paint, then Denver will have a ton of potential come next season.

Must Read: 2 Ways Denver can Improve Next Season

One of the main priorities for the Nuggets this off season needs to be finding a solid rim protector to help shore up the putrid defense.

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