The draft came and went. Summer league is now officially over with the Portland Trailblazers taking home the championship which means absolutely nothing.
So now we are a couple of months away from the start of training camp and there isn’t really much to look forward to unless of course you’re still celebrating the Dubs and their historically great starting 5. Now is the perfect time to take a look at the Denver Nuggets heading into next season.
The Nuggets missed the playoffs by one game last season in a freakishly competitive Western Conference which only got more crowded thanks to LeBron taking his talents to LA. Missing the playoffs indeed was a bummer, but it also was a blessing.
That blessing was being able to land Michael Porter Jr. at number 14 in the NBA draft. Although he may not play much this year, if at all, this pick was all about low risk high reward. If MPJ can get his health back (pun intended) then watch out. This kids got a silky smooth jumper, handles, and a feel for the game that would have made him a top 3 pick if it weren’t for his injury.
Getting him at 14 could end up being the steal of the draft, which would be nice considering what the Jazz got in Donovan Mitchell last year. Denver also unloaded the terrible contracts of Arthur, Faried, and Chandler and signed Isaiah Thomas for chump change.