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Denver Nuggets: How Denver can build a super-team by 2020

By Kevin Oestreicher

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 11: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball against Nikola Jokic #15 and Paul Millsap #4 of the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter of the game on April 11, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 112-106. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 11: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball against Nikola Jokic #15 and Paul Millsap #4 of the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter of the game on April 11, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 112-106. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2020 Off season Targets for the Nuggets

The 2020 off season would be the major shakeup for Denver. At this point, the Nuggets should have made the playoffs two years in a row, establishing  themselves as championship contenders. Denver should be much more attractive for free agents, with their young talent and their ability to win.

In 2020, free agents include Al Horford, Kevin Love, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler (assuming he accepts his player option in 2019), and Kyle Lowry. All of these players would be good acquisitions for Denver, but the one that makes the most sense is Jimmy Butler.

Butler averaged 22.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists over 59 games for Minnesota last season. He is also praised for his defensive value, averaging 2.0 steals per game and constantly shutting down the other teams best player. Minnesota was firmly in the three seed in the Western Conference with Butler, but when he went down with a meniscus injury, the Wolves fell to the 9th spot and almost missed the playoffs. Butler came back and carried them to a victory over Denver on the final day of the season, knocking the Nuggets out of the playoffs in heartbreaking fashion.

The Nuggets could sign Butler to deal right at or below max contract value. He will be 30 when 2020 comes, but he should have 3 or 4 good years left in him by that point. He would give the Nuggets an all-around superstar to pair with Jokic. But wait, the Nuggets have Gary Harris at shooting guard and Michael Porter Jr at small forward. Where does Butler fit? Good question.

After signing Butler, the Nuggets could take a risk. They could trade for Pelicans star power forward Anthony Davis.

Anthony Davis is one of the best players in the entire league. He averaged 28.1 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game last season. He has also made three All NBA Defensive teams, and averaged 2.6 blocks and 1.3 steals last season. Pairing him with Butler and Nikola Jokic would complete the Nuggets super-team. A trade for him would look something like this:

Harris and Lyles have contracts that would make the money work in the deal. Both are up and coming players. With two picks attached, this is a massive haul to be giving the Pelicans, but for a player like Davis, it could be worth it. However, there is risk in acquiring “The Brow”.

He will be a free agent after the 2020-2021 season, meaning he can choose to leave Denver after just one season. Maybe after a year of playing in Denver, Davis will want to stay, but if he wants to leave for the a bigger spotlight, he can.

Mason Plumlee and Paul Millsap will be a free agent, clearing $44.2 million in cap space. Davis is making $28 million, while Butler would be making around $30 million. With 2019 being uneventful for Denver, they could afford to sign both players. They could still housing Nikola Jokic and his max contract. Jamal Murray will also be a restricted free agent. He could be looking for a 4 year deal worth around $70 million. With those four players under contract, Denver wouldn’t be able to afford a lot more than minimum contracts, but with Butler, Davis, and Jokic plus Murray and Michael Porter Jr still on his rookie contract, you could find quality players for cheap who would want to play in Denver to win a championship.

A starting lineup of Murray, Butler, Porter Jr, Davis, Jokic lineup would be among the best in the league. They wouldn’t have a ton of depth on their bench, but veterans such as Shaun Livingston, J.R. Smith, and Nenê could sign minimum deals to round out a Denver bench of Jarred Vanderbilt, Thomas Welsh, and other future Nuggets draft picks. This team, if kept together, could become a dynasty, but the first step is building the super-team.

Next: Top 10 Denver Nuggets of all time

Denver might not want to take the accelerated path, instead trusting the guys they have to grow and mesh together. However, if they wanted to go the superstar route, this is one way they could do it.

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