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Nuggets starting lineup: Locks, fringe and potential break-ins

By Quenton S. Albertie

Sep 5, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Paul Millsap (4) celebrates with guard Jamal Murray (27) and guard Gary Harris (14) and center Nikola Jokic (15) after making a basket against the LA Clippers during the first half of game two in the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Paul Millsap (4) celebrates with guard Jamal Murray (27) and guard Gary Harris (14) and center Nikola Jokic (15) after making a basket against the LA Clippers during the first half of game two in the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 09: Michael Porter Jr. (L) and Bol Bol (R) of the Denver Nuggets pose before a game at NBA Summer League on July 09, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Cassy Athena/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 09: Michael Porter Jr. (L) and Bol Bol (R) of the Denver Nuggets pose before a game at NBA Summer League on July 09, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Cassy Athena/Getty Images) /

Potential Break-Ins: Michael Porter Jr., JaMychal Green, Bol Bol

So far, we have Murray, Jokic and Harris as the projected starters, leaving both forward spots open to debate.

Barton and Millsap, two veterans that were both starters for the Nuggets for multiple seasons, have a chance to man both of those open spots. However, there are at least two other candidates to start at either forward spot in 2020-21.

Starting with small forward, Porter and Bol Bol are the most intriguing candidates.

Porter, an aggressive scorer with a sweet shooting stroke and the ability to break defenders down off-the-dribble, would give Denver the ‘Big Three’ feel that fans only got a glimpse of in the seeding games. Finding out how to properly integrate Porter and his skillset into the offense should be near the top of the Nuggets’ list of priorities but it’s almost all on MPJ whether or not he starts.

All he has to do is take the defensive end as serious as he takes the offensive end, and make smart decisions on either side.

Bol is one of the most intriguing frontcourt prospects because he moves and plays like a 7’2″ wing.

In fact, for all the Kevin Durant comparisons that Porter has had, Bol’s physique and skillset actually bear more similarities to KD than MPJ. Though not nearly as quick-twitch an athlete, both are capable of putting the ball on the floor to get past defenders, making advanced reads and passes, scoring from all three levels and using their length to alter shots.

At power forward, JaMychal Green also enters the conversation.

A relatively athletic big man with some guard skills as well and the potential to be a high-level stretch-big, Green has less ego and maintenance than Porter, making it possible he’ll have better chemistry with Murray and Jokic than MPJ.

Barring a stunning lack of growth from Porter this offseason, expect him to be penciled in as one of the two remaining starters.

Next. How the loss of Jerami Grant affects the Nuggets. dark

Q’s final prediction: the Nuggets start Murray, Harris, Bol, Porter and Jokic at the start of the 2020-21 season.

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