The Denver Nuggets Have a Severe Passing Problem

Nov 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) dribbles the ball against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Warriors defeated the Nuggets 125-101. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) dribbles the ball against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Warriors defeated the Nuggets 125-101. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 29, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) dribbles the ball between Portland Trail Blazers forward Al-Farouq Aminu (8) and guard C.J. McCollum (3) in the first quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) dribbles the ball between Portland Trail Blazers forward Al-Farouq Aminu (8) and guard C.J. McCollum (3) in the first quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Is There Anyone to Help Mudiay on the Denver Nuggets?

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The answer for the Denver Nuggets is a melancholy, “Probably not.”

Nelson has played fine as a backup point guard, but at 34-years old, how much more can you expect? He’s averaging 8.1 points and 3.6 assists per game, but Nelson certainly isn’t the long-term answer.

A play-making big man would be nice. Andrew Bogut’s passing ability over the last two years helped Golden State find open looks. Blake Griffin has been doing more in the pick-and-roll and is a great passer. Heck, even Portland’s Mason Plumlee is averaging 7.8 assists per 100 possessions!

We’ll see how the season shakes out, but so far the cupboard is bare in this department. Nikola Jokic has been the best passing big man at 4.2 assists per 100 possessions. Jusuf Nurkic (2.5 ast/100) and Kenneth Faried (2.0 ast/100) aren’t providing much in this regard. The Denver Nuggets trio of big men combine for 8.7 assists per 100 possessions, which is less than one assist better than Plumlee by himself.

If Nelson isn’t a long-term answer, and if the Nuggets are getting much from inside, is there a solution?