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Denver Nuggets: What if we miss the playoffs?

By Michael Longhofer

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 13: Head Coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 13, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 13: Head Coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 13, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – MARCH 15: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets reacts to a play during the game against the Detroit Pistons on March 15, 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 – MARCH 15: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets reacts to a play during the game against the Detroit Pistons on March 15, 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) /

With just 14 games remaining in the NBA regular season, the Denver Nuggets are currently out of the playoff picture.

If the trend in the West continues and the Nuggets finish out-of-the-playoffs again this season, the impact will be huge.

First, it is worth mentioning that there’s a school of thought that participation in the draft lottery is very much preferable to getting swept and embarrassed in the first  round.  Count me among those that don’t feel a playoff appearance, for four games merits the loss in draft position.  The Nuggets don’t need young talent but draft picks are trade gold and can turn Faried for some socks into Faried for an established wing (in socks).  Any league, anywhere, stockpiled picks are valuable.

Also of value is the status of the franchise with regards to free agents.  Does it look better to get crushed by Houston or to miss the playoffs (possibly just needing that one free agent piece)?  It looks better to be on the verge than to have been demoralized.

Now, there’s pride, both civic and individual that shouldn’t let anyone concede but it’s really not entirely up to the Nuggets.  They can finish as high as third, though fourth is far more realistic a target.  They can finish as low as 10th, 11th is a possibility but about as much as third. The issue both is and is not the Nuggets performances.  The other teams currently vying for the same spots as the Nuggets are setting a ridiculous pace.  The Nuggets have not been playing poorly, there’s just no room to lose, at all in this race.

What are some consequences of missing the playoffs? Let’s look at a couple:

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