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The One Trade Connelly Missed On

By Mathew Huff

Sep 28, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly answers questions during a press conference during the media day at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly answers questions during a press conference during the media day at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 24, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) attempts to shoot the ball as Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) defends in the first quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) attempts to shoot the ball as Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) defends in the first quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Sadly, Connelly is human just like other NBA GM’s.

Tim Connelly has done a great job in constructing this Denver Nuggets squad. He has drafted very well. In fact, one look at his draft picks and most of them have turned out to be great contributors. Unfortunately, not all of them started their first game in a Nuggets jersey.

Sadly, not all trades can go a GM’s way in the NBA. The Nuggets made a great pick with Rudy Gobert a few years ago. Sound familiar? The name should as he is now the second best player on the Utah Jazz. He has developed into a solid front court presence. As a matter of fact, many would debate that he should have been an All Star this season, but I digress.

Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets /

Denver Nuggets

Gobert has become a premier rim protector in the league, something the Nuggets could desperately use going forward. Sadly, the Nuggets traded him to the rival Jazz when they drafted him. Now, it is coming back to bite him. If they kept him and stayed patient, the Nuggets would have been able to sneak into the playoffs this year. Can you imagine a front court with Nikola Jokic and Rudy Gobert? Jokic would have the defensive pressure taken off of him where Gobert would solidify the front line with his length and being able to protect the paint.

Let’s just say that the Nuggets would not be ranked 29th in defensive efficiency to say the least. Unfortunately, Tim Connelly is human just like any other NBA GM and he was defeated in this particular trade involving Rudy Gobert. Live and learn though. In Connelly’s defense, it was one of his first major moves as the Nuggets GM so he was still learning.

In hindsight, Denver really should have kept Gobert, but what is done is done. They must look forward and continue to improve so they can get back into post season contention.

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