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How the Kawhi Leonard trade impacts the Denver Nuggets

By Grayson Moore

SAN ANTONIO, TX - JANUARY 13: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs is introduced before the game against the Denver Nuggets on January 13, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - JANUARY 13: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs is introduced before the game against the Denver Nuggets on January 13, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /

It’s Less Competitive in the West… Right?

With a consensus top-5 player in the league out of the Western Conference, you’d think that it would be a little easier for the Nuggets to make the playoffs. However, I don’t think that will be the case.

The Spurs already have objectively the greatest coach of all-time, an All-Star and 2nd Team All-NBA player, as well as a decent young core. Not to mention, they just added a 4x All-Star and offensive maestro who can run their offense from a guard or forward position.

DeMar DeRozan

DeRozan had one of the best seasons of his career in 2017-18, statistically and in terms of team success. He averaged 23.0 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game in the second-fewest minutes of his career(33.9) en route to a fourth straight All-Star appearance. He posted the second-highest effective field goal percentage of his career(48.8%) and took his long-range shooting to a whole new level.

DeRozan averaged career highs in 3s made(1.1) and attempted(3.6) while posting a career-high in 3-point attempt rate(20.2%) and the second-lowest percentage of 3-pointers assisted in his career(67.4%). That means he’s learning how to create his own shot. And that’s just his “on the surface” stats.

DeRozan also put up career-highs in assist percentage(25.0%), value over replacement player(2.6), win shares per 48 minutes(.170), offensive rating(114), and box plus/minus(1.8). Plus, he led the Raptors to the 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and a 59 win season.

It’s safe to say that replacing an “injured” superstar with DeRozan wasn’t the worst move the Spurs could have made. They will compete for the playoffs next year, much to the chagrin of Nuggets fans and Western Conference fan bases.

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