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How the rest of the season shapes up for the Nuggets

By Michael Longhofer

DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 1: Logo of the Denver Nuggets is seen during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 1, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 1: Logo of the Denver Nuggets is seen during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 1, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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ENVER, CO – JANUARY 29: Mason Plumlee #24 of the Denver Nuggets puts up a shot against Daniel Theis #27 of the Boston Celtics at the Pepsi Center on January 29, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)Getty ID: 911969166Image Size: 3214 x 2142
ENVER, CO – JANUARY 29: Mason Plumlee #24 of the Denver Nuggets puts up a shot against Daniel Theis #27 of the Boston Celtics at the Pepsi Center on January 29, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)Getty ID: 911969166Image Size: 3214 x 2142 /
DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 17: E’Twuan Moore #55 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives to the basket against Paul Millsap #4 of the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on November 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 17: E’Twuan Moore #55 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives to the basket against Paul Millsap #4 of the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on November 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

First, what we know about Plumlee and Millsap:

Mason has been practicing with the team for about a week and looks good.  The Nuggets say he is right on schedule for return to action against San Antonio on Friday. That’s good news.  Millsap’s return is still a little more grey, he’s been conditioning and doing light shooting with his injured wrist.  Some reports claim he’s 10 days away, others putting it further out.  With the Nuggets playing at a high level, the team has the luxury of nursing Millsap along, he should arrive, with fresh legs, just in time for that brutal March road trip.

Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets /

Denver Nuggets

Beyond the return of injured players, many questions remain with this roster.  What is the status of Torrey Craig?  What is the status of the bench?  Will Faried, Juancho, R.J. and Beasley get any shot at playing time? Will Coach Malone return to a more traditional Starter/Bench dynamic once Millsap is back?  With Joker blowing up at Center since Plumlee’s injury, can we (please) stop playing him at the 4?

Lots of questions for the team that’s becoming the buzz in the West.  Look for Monte Morris to return to G-League, beyond that, it’s unclear what the Nuggets can do to clear the roster spot needed for Craig.  Perhaps the emergence of Wilson Chandler means the Nuggets are willing to send Craig back down for the remainder of the season.

It seems unlikely that post All-Star Michael Malone will vary much from what we have seen this season.  It’s probably wise to anticipate that the addition of Plumlee and Millsap will be the only adjustments to the rotation.  I don’t see Faried or R.J. seeing the floor much, D.A. may have earned some minutes, there was a brief Juancho appearance in Milwaukee, Tyler Lydon is out with knee surgery for the remainder of the season (Get Well Soon!).  Lyles, Barton, Plumlee, Devin Harris and possibly Malik Beasley look to be the guys that will get the bulk of the second team minutes.

It may take some adjustment time but let’s spitball a bit about starters and subs.  The starting 5, once healthy, should be:

C- Nikola Jokic

PF-Paul Millsap

SF-Wilson Chandler

SG-Gary Harris

PG-Jamal Murray

With a second team that consists of:

C-Mason Plumlee

PF-Trey Lyles

SF-Malik Beasley (?)

SG-Will Barton

PG-Devin Harris

That’s a pretty solid 10-man rotation in this league, particularly when you consider the bench assets beyond the second-team that can be used situationally.

Anticipate a more set rotation but still utilizing the success of the read-and-react offense the team has employed lately.  With the more stable second team we hopefully won’t see the drop off that has plagued the team since Millsap went down.

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