Denver Nuggets: A blueprint for success in 2021-22

Denver Nuggets offseason plan: Bolster the second unit

Even when healthy, the Nuggets lacked consistency all season long. They would have really solid stretches, but then have some really rough stretches too where they looked too slow on defense or struggle to score when the second unit was in. The Nuggets were 27th in the league in bench points per game and were around the middle of the league in plus-minus per NBA.com.

This is an area the Nuggets must upgrade to give their star players the rest they deserve and lighten the load.

A lot of this area depends on what happens with Will Barton since he has been integral to Denver’s bench production in his time with the team.

Barton has said in the past that he considers himself to be a starter and maybe he was before Denver realized how good Michael Porter Jr was and Will was sidelined with injuries.

There’s no doubt Will’s a good player and would be beneficial to the Nuggets locker room, but you most likely would want him to accept taking command of the second unit off the bench. When the starters are out there, you want Jokic and Murray to dominate the ball since they’re clearly the best players on the team. You miss out on this if putting the rock in Barton’s hands.

One could imagine a healthy Will Barton being in contention for the Sixth Man of the Year award if he embraced the role.

However, if Barton leaves in free agency or does get moved in a way for Lonzo Ball, Denver would be in the market for a new bench scorer.

Players like Spencer Dinwiddie, Tim Hardaway Jr, or DeMar DeRozan could be ideal replacements as players who can handle the ball, create their own shot, and are great slashers. Unfortunately, even without making one of the aforementioned moves, these three are probably priced out of Denver’s range.

Otto Porter Jr is a guy who can come in and give a team solid minutes. He’d also bring some positional versatility to the team that has succeeded with similar builds in Jerami Grant and now Aaron Gordon.

If the Nuggets wanted to go for a younger player that still has the potential to break out, they could look to Malik Monk who is very athletic and can really shoot the ball. He could certainly provide a spark off the bench if the Nuggets outbid the Charlotte Hornets for the restricted free agent.

Older names like J.J. Reddick, Patty Mills, and Lou Williams would bring elite levels of shooting to the bench squad which would blend in well with the starting lineup throughout the game. The issue with these players is that they might be looking for too much money (which they likely deserve).

Another issue the Nuggets have depends on what happens with JaVale McGee as the backup big man. Most teams need a defensive big, rim protector off the bench who plays solid defense off the bench, especially Denver with Jokic’s ineptitude in this area.

They could look at a player like Nerlens Noel who plays tough defense and has good verticality for blocking/contesting shots, catching lobs, and rebounding. Noel was happy coming off the bench for the New York Knicks at the start of the season before Mitchell Robinson’s injury thrust him into the starting lineup.

Either way you look at it, the Nuggets will have options this offseason and they would be smart not to sit on their hands instead they should look to improve in areas they struggled. Although getting healthy would certainly be a boost the Nuggets need, they shouldn’t look at the injuries and players getting back healthy as their big help.

They should absolutely focus on getting a defensive big man and more shooting ability for the second unit.