Denver Nuggets: What to expect when free agency kicks off
By Alex Murray
After what felt like two seasons smushed together thanks to the ceaseless pandemic, the NBA is finally getting a bit of normalcy back in the form of a standard free agency period which begins on 2 Aug. 2021. The Denver Nuggets have a few questions to answer during free agency following their impressive playoff run.
While they didn’t make it as far as they did in the bubble the year prior, the fact that they won a playoff series with the spare parts they had available in their backcourt during the postseason was impressive.
That will be one of the biggest questions for Denver: with Jamal Murray out for most if not all of next season with his ACL tear, someone else will need to step up, but who?
Denver also has a bevy of veterans hitting free agency that they should be able to bring back, but is running it back with the same squad as last season really what this franchise is looking to do?
They’ve got some great young talent and the reigning league MVP in Nikola Jokic, but without the Blue Arrow for most of the season, they might want to look for an outside hire as well.
The jury is still out on the last big trade the Nuggets made to acquire Aaron Gordon, who underwhelmed when called upon to step up in the playoffs, especially during their embarrassing sweep at the hands of the eventual Western Conference-champion Phoenix Suns in the second round.
The front office might be a bit skittish to make another big swap so soon, but a trade or some outside help in free agency could be in their best interest. The team needs veteran help in the backcourt, a better defensive pedigree, and improved shooting on the outside where marksmen have and will continue to be lethal thanks to the attention the Joker receives and his skill and vision passing the rock.