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Denver Nuggets: Could they make a splash on Draft Night?

ByMathew Huff|
The Nuggets kept their win streak alive with a satisfying win against the Charlotte Hornets.Often, this season, the Nuggets have strung together enough good performances that we breathe a little easier and declare they've turned a corner.  That elation is usually followed by baffling defeats to inferior teams.  It's hard to say, with this team, if they've truly overcome the malaise that prevents them from jumping into that top-tier of Western Conference teams.Last night's contest with the visiting Hornets was one of those "trap" games that have plagued this gifted but inconsistent team.  This night was different, though, led by Gary Harris' 27, the Nuggets were able to easily overcome the Hornets, 121-104, leading to further speculation that the Nuggets have shed the underachiever label and graduated to that next level.The win put the Nuggets back into the 6th spot in the Western Conference playoff race, a single game behind 5th place OKC.  Nikola Jokic led with 16 rebounds and Will Barton handed out a team high 8 assists.  Among the starters, only Wilson Chandler did not score in double-digits. The bench performed well, with Lyles, Mudiay and DA combining for 33 points, and Torrey Craig matching Lyles with 7 boards.  Craig had a scare late on a high-flying block attempt (They say Flagrant 1 on  DA, I say clean block.).Over the summer, I wrote about the Nuggets need to stay the course.  My contention was, that, for the 2018-19 season, there is virtually no pathway to a championship for this young team.  Without the addition of several, proven, top players, there is little chance that the Nuggets could beat the Warriors or Rockets over a 7-game series.  The wise path forward, then is to develop the incredible amount of talent this team has cultivated and be prepared for when it is their time.The central theme of my piece was that our core, at full potential, is better than anything we could get in trade or through free agency.  Put another way, at the top of their game, there's not another Center, Shooting Guard or Point that I'd rather have in Denver than Jokic, Harris and Murray.  By way of support, I point to our 2-2 record against the Champs and the last week of games.  This team is on the verge of breaking through.This is specifically why I bristle at the rumored trade scenarios out there for the Nuggets.  There is no value in making moves just to make moves.  I can't make the case that this team would be markedly improved by the addition of Kemba Walker, Elfrid Payton, Marcus Smart or any of the proposed PG swaps that we've heard (Collison?).  We saw Kemba last night, we've seen Payton, I just don't see that their games would improve the Nuggets fortunes enough to mess with what has become great chemistry on this team. If we need a lesson on what damaging team chemistry can do to a tight team, we need look no further than across I-25 to the aftermath of the Broncos decision to part ways with TJ Ward.  A seemingly small move, with a rising stud coming up behind him in Justin Simmons but it had an impact on a secondary that had finished first in the NFL two consecutive years.I get that professional sports are a business.  I get that an immeasurable value like "chemistry" is difficult to attach a lot of team resources to but if this team has turned a corner and is competing and beating the top teams in the league, what need is there to upend that?  We are already facing the imminent return and reintegration of Paul Millsap, which for all intents and purposes will be like acquiring him via trade. The fan base is easily placated with wins, so there's no need to appease them.  The Nuggets have the highest increase in attendance in the league, they just had the largest crowd in their Pepsi Center history.  They are smiling, they are enjoying this (Gary Harris declining to get posterized by Dwight Howard was classic).  Until they show signs of regression, someone is going to have to explain to me why there's such a push to make a move before the trade deadline on Thursday.This will, of course, all be put to the test on Friday against a Rockets team that's pushing Golden State for the top record in the league.  James Harden is playing the best basketball of his career and looks unstoppable.  It's fitting, then that whatever team the Nuggets roll into Houston with is the team they will carry to the end of the season.  I for one, believe in this team, as constituted.  It's been fun to fantasize about what-if scenarios for LeBron or Kawhi but the realistic prospects for the Nuggets don't justify tinkering with a team that's playing as good as any in the League.As we saw last night, the Nuggets are fully capable of powering through trap games, coming off of big wins.  If that maintains, it's one of the final hurdles to this team making some postseason noise and one step closer to NBA legitimacy.
The Nuggets kept their win streak alive with a satisfying win against the Charlotte Hornets.Often, this season, the Nuggets have strung together enough good performances that we breathe a little easier and declare they've turned a corner.  That elation is usually followed by baffling defeats to inferior teams.  It's hard to say, with this team, if they've truly overcome the malaise that prevents them from jumping into that top-tier of Western Conference teams.Last night's contest with the visiting Hornets was one of those "trap" games that have plagued this gifted but inconsistent team.  This night was different, though, led by Gary Harris' 27, the Nuggets were able to easily overcome the Hornets, 121-104, leading to further speculation that the Nuggets have shed the underachiever label and graduated to that next level.The win put the Nuggets back into the 6th spot in the Western Conference playoff race, a single game behind 5th place OKC.  Nikola Jokic led with 16 rebounds and Will Barton handed out a team high 8 assists.  Among the starters, only Wilson Chandler did not score in double-digits. The bench performed well, with Lyles, Mudiay and DA combining for 33 points, and Torrey Craig matching Lyles with 7 boards.  Craig had a scare late on a high-flying block attempt (They say Flagrant 1 on  DA, I say clean block.).Over the summer, I wrote about the Nuggets need to stay the course.  My contention was, that, for the 2018-19 season, there is virtually no pathway to a championship for this young team.  Without the addition of several, proven, top players, there is little chance that the Nuggets could beat the Warriors or Rockets over a 7-game series.  The wise path forward, then is to develop the incredible amount of talent this team has cultivated and be prepared for when it is their time.The central theme of my piece was that our core, at full potential, is better than anything we could get in trade or through free agency.  Put another way, at the top of their game, there's not another Center, Shooting Guard or Point that I'd rather have in Denver than Jokic, Harris and Murray.  By way of support, I point to our 2-2 record against the Champs and the last week of games.  This team is on the verge of breaking through.This is specifically why I bristle at the rumored trade scenarios out there for the Nuggets.  There is no value in making moves just to make moves.  I can't make the case that this team would be markedly improved by the addition of Kemba Walker, Elfrid Payton, Marcus Smart or any of the proposed PG swaps that we've heard (Collison?).  We saw Kemba last night, we've seen Payton, I just don't see that their games would improve the Nuggets fortunes enough to mess with what has become great chemistry on this team. If we need a lesson on what damaging team chemistry can do to a tight team, we need look no further than across I-25 to the aftermath of the Broncos decision to part ways with TJ Ward.  A seemingly small move, with a rising stud coming up behind him in Justin Simmons but it had an impact on a secondary that had finished first in the NFL two consecutive years.I get that professional sports are a business.  I get that an immeasurable value like "chemistry" is difficult to attach a lot of team resources to but if this team has turned a corner and is competing and beating the top teams in the league, what need is there to upend that?  We are already facing the imminent return and reintegration of Paul Millsap, which for all intents and purposes will be like acquiring him via trade. The fan base is easily placated with wins, so there's no need to appease them.  The Nuggets have the highest increase in attendance in the league, they just had the largest crowd in their Pepsi Center history.  They are smiling, they are enjoying this (Gary Harris declining to get posterized by Dwight Howard was classic).  Until they show signs of regression, someone is going to have to explain to me why there's such a push to make a move before the trade deadline on Thursday.This will, of course, all be put to the test on Friday against a Rockets team that's pushing Golden State for the top record in the league.  James Harden is playing the best basketball of his career and looks unstoppable.  It's fitting, then that whatever team the Nuggets roll into Houston with is the team they will carry to the end of the season.  I for one, believe in this team, as constituted.  It's been fun to fantasize about what-if scenarios for LeBron or Kawhi but the realistic prospects for the Nuggets don't justify tinkering with a team that's playing as good as any in the League.As we saw last night, the Nuggets are fully capable of powering through trap games, coming off of big wins.  If that maintains, it's one of the final hurdles to this team making some postseason noise and one step closer to NBA legitimacy.

The Denver Nuggets are aggressively pursuing trade partners as the NBA Draft nears.

The Denver Nuggets are involved in several trade talks and rumors. They have done this  the past couple of seasons come Draft time.

This season has been no different. President of Basketball Operations, Tim Connelly, had this to say according to the Denver Post.

"“We are trying to find a guy that we can continue to build with, a guy that fits our culture, a guy that could be another long-term piece,” president of basketball operations Tim Connelly said."

The Nuggets have been aggressive the last couple of summers. Some of their actions have paid off and some of them have back fired on them.

They got steals in Nikola Jokic and Gary Harris. However, they also ended up with Emmanuel Mudiay. He was traded mid season for veteran point guard, Devin Harris. They have not been shy about going after a star though.

Last year during the Draft, they were in talks with the Phoenix Suns according to some reports. Talks about getting the athletic point guard, Eric Bledsoe. There was also speculation about being going after Jimmy Butler before the Minnesota Timberwolves landed the star two way player.

With Denver’s financial situation being complicated, do not be surprised if they make a trade or two during this year’s Draft as well. They are looking for a way to secure Nikola Jokic long term and the one way to do that right now is getting some expensive contracts off their books.

Contracts such as Darrell Arthur’s, Wilson Chandler’s and Kenneth Faried’s. Plus, the organization is looking further into the future. They are realizing Jamal Murray will want his money once he is off his rookie deal.

Denver is looking for takers on their 14th overall pick which will most likely include taking on one or two of these expensive role player’s contracts. However, if there is one thing Tim Connelly cannot be discredited for during his tenure, it is that he has been aggressive.

He hasn’t shyed away from the big names and is willing to take some risks. Risks don’t always pay off, but you also can’t be successful in this league without being willing to fail once in a while.

Next: Top five dunkers in Denver Nuggets' history

With all of this in mind, do not be surprised if the Denver Nuggets are active on June 21.

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