For cheap, stellar defense, the Denver Nuggets should consider signing 6’8″ forward Luc Mbah a Moute in NBA free agency.
The Denver Nuggets have already added an elite defender and more versatility with the acquisition of All-Star Paul Millsap in NBA free agency, but they could still use more defense after ranking 29th in the league last season. And seeing as the Nuggets don’t have much cap space to work with ($1.94 million, per Keith Smith) unless they are able to make a Kenneth Faried trade and dump some salary, they need to make sure they’re targeting cheap players who aren’t drawing too much interest.
One forward who fits that bill perfectly is 6’8″ Luc Mbah a Moute, who’s spent the last two seasons with the LA Clippers (making just $1.27 million in 2015-16 and $2.20 million in 2016-17).
Mbah a Moute wasn’t able to solve the Clippers’ never-ending small forward problems. He helped, but he could never shoot consistently enough and provide more of a threat on offense to help the team reach the next level. Even though he shot a greatly improved 39.1 percent on his three-pointers last season, it’s his limitations with the ball in his hands outside of quick cuts or occasional drives past closeouts (and a total of only 43 threes for the season) that will help keep his value down. Plus, the Clippers just added Danilo Gallinari on a three-year, $65 million deal. While Gallinari will be playing lots of four, he’s coming in as the new starting small forward, so there won’t be as many available for Mbah a Moute and the need for him is obviously reduced in the process.
This is where the Nuggets can look to make a move. Yes, they have lots of forwards, but moving some to clear costly salary and adding defense should still be worth considering.
There hasn’t been any real reported interest in Mbah a Moute during free agency so far, due to his obvious flaws and not exactly being a big-name player. That said, he would provide fantastic defense for the Nuggets off the bench, having the capability to guard any position from shooting guard to power forward and even match up with some point guards at times.
For example, check out this defense on Damian Lillard:
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Mbah a Moute has good size and length, quick feet, high effort, fast reactions and sound positioning to make sure he’s not only hard to beat on the ball, but he can help a defense’s rotations with his work off the ball, too.
Last season, the Clippers allowed 6.2 fewer points per 100 possessions with him on the floor. That has something to do with him playing with the starters a lot, but a lot of it is due to his impact, too. He also ranked ninth among all power forwards in Defensive Real Plus/Minus and was used to slow down top opposing wing scorers every night.
If the Nuggets can move one of their forwards or power forwards, adding Mbah a Moute’s superior defense on a cheaper salary would be an even better addition. Whenever he could be lined up next to Millsap, they’d form quite the defensive force.
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He’s a player few will praise highly, but Mbah a Moute is a top-notch defender and one of the league’s best that you’ll never hear about. Seeing as he can just about get by from deep now with the odd triple, he has the kind of defensive package that could fit in nicely with what the Nuggets need on a near minimum salary.