The Nuggets have not found a replacement for Danilo Gallinari yet and it is starting to look like they are giving Wilson Chandler the keys to the car for the starting small forward spot.
With the trade sending Gallinari to the Clippers that also included the Atlanta Hawks, many fans are wondering what Wilson Chandler’s role will be on the team next season. Small forwards who could have benefited the Nuggets like Otto Porter and James Johnson are now off the market and Denver seems to be sitting still in terms of finding a new three.
Denver Nuggets
What this seems to indicate is they are willing to give Wilson Chandler a shot at the starting rotation as soon as next season comes around. Chandler has always been the “Swiss army knife,” for the Nuggets due to his versatility. There numerous rumors last year which indicated he was unhappy with his role on the team, particularly coming off the bench.
With Gallo’s departure, this opens the door for Chandler to snag the starting role if in fact, Denver is not looking to sign a new wing. Chandler is coming off the best season of his career after missing the entire year before with injury.
He averaged a career high in points at 15.7 points per game along with a player efficiency rating of 14.9 per basketball-reference.com. He had several great performances last season and ironically, a few of them came after rumblings of him wanting out of the Mile High.
There is no doubt Chandler has talent, but will his production falter with not coming off the bench? It is hard to see considering he has been playing in Gallo’s shadow for the past few years.
He has always been a solid wing that many teams could use and the Nuggets are actually lucky to have a talent like him.
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As of right now, it looks like Denver is ready to insert him into the starting rotation.