Denver Nuggets: 3 options for the backup center role

Despite a strong start to the free agency period, the Denver Nuggets find themselves with one glaring hole in their roster construction. With veteran big-man JaVale McGee opting to sign a deal with the Phoenix Suns, the Nuggets are short on backup center options.

As currently constructed, the Denver Nuggets will be relying on the likes of Zeke Naji and Jeff Green to fill the secondary big-man minutes. While Jeff Green is a solid undersized option at the five, and Zeke Naji has bags of untapped potential, being forced into consistent small-ball lineups is less than ideal.

To further muddy the waters, the Nuggets cap space is essentially non-existent, with only $4.5 million remaining of the MLE and a $5.3 million TPE courtesy of Jerami Grant available. Of course, the team can also extend offers of the veteran minimum variety, because you know, centers are generally cheap nowadays.

But, with the free agency talent pool starting to dry up and rosters around the league beginning to take shape, who could the Nuggets pursue to give themselves additional solidarity at the five?

There’s still some reliable talent available on the market, so here are 3 potential options to fill the role of the backup center for the Denver Nuggets.

3 options for the backup center role: Willy Hernangomez

At 6-foot-11 Willy Hernangomez would add some additional size to the Denver Nuggets bench unit. Hernangomez, a career backup center, would come into Denver willing to embrace his role on the supporting cast.

Offensivley, Hernangomez is rather limited. The five-year veteran only averages 53.7 percent from the two-point range on a shade under six attempts per game. Furthermore, the Madrid native offers little in the way of floor spacing, hitting only 30.6 percent of his 0.4 three-point attempts per game.

What Hernangomez does give you, though, is respectable defense and high-level rebounding. Hernangomez finished in the 92nd percentile of bigs for offensive rebounds and the 85th percentile for defensive boards this past season.

Elsewhere on defense, the 250lb big projects as a drop defender with limited capabilities of operating in show and switch coverages on the perimeter. The New Orleans Pelicans used Hernangomez on the perimeter for stretches last season with mixed results, and due to the Nuggets wing defenders, it makes sense he adopts a strict “protect the paint” approach.

With Hernangomez’s limited offensive game and situational defense, it’s fair to assume he doesn’t currently sit atop of the Denver Nuggets free-agent wish list. It’s worth noting that Hernangomez has been performing above his usual level while with Spain at the Tokyo Olympics, giving hope that he may find better form in a new situation.

Financially, Hernangomez is likely to sign a veteran minimum deal which is fair in terms of production vs. cost.

3 options for the backup center role: Harry Giles

Harry Giles is looking for his third team in four years. After unsuccessful spells with the Sacramento Kings and Portland Trailblazers, Giles will be aiming to land in a spot that accentuates his talents and allows him to rebuild his value.

Once a highly recruited player out of high school, Giles has struggled to flash his potential since entering the NBA.

On defense, the Duke product has upside as a switchable center, capable of guarding the perimeter and restricted area. Giles’ ability to move his feet and stay in front of his man will be invaluable to him earning more rotation minutes in the future, but it’s his rebounding that currently stands out.

In just 9.2 minutes per game this season, Giles provided the Portland Trailblazers with 3.5 rebounds per game. Giles stands at 6-foot-11 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan and has the physical tools to be a defensive disruptor for years to come. Unfortunately, two ACL injuries during his earlier years have stunted Giles’ growth, and now the young big is trying to make up lost ground.

As reported by Timothy Rapp of Bleacher Report  back in 2018;

"“The 19-year-old Giles was widely heralded during his high school career and was the No. 2 overall prospect in the class of 2016 behind only Josh Jackson, per 247Sports’ composite rankings, even though he tore his left ACL in 2013 and his right ACL in 2015.”"

Giles projects as a potential rim runner with a versatile defensive game at this point in his career. For a team with 10-14 minutes a night to spare, Giles could be a low-risk, high-reward option.

For the Nuggets, if they can snag Giles on a one or two-year minimum deal, Giles could both fill a need and potentially become a valuable member of the rotation.

3 options for the backup center role: DeMarcus Cousins

Once considered one of the league’s better big men, DeMarcus Cousins finds himself searching for yet another team. Cousins, whose recent injury history is a red flag for most teams, is coming off a successful season with the LA Clippers.

In 16 regular-season games, Cousins averaged 7.8 points and 4.5 rebounds on 59.7 percent true shooting. Unlike the other two centers mentioned in this article, Cousins brings offensive upside and below-average defense.

During his younger years (pre-injury), Cousins would use his athleticism and strength to bully his opponents and carve open scoring opportunities for himself. Since recovering from multiple knee injuries, Cousins has displayed a more nuanced game.

Still capable of scoring across all three levels, the Alabama native likes to approach his offense in a balanced fashion, spreading his attempts across the floor. According to Cleaning The Glass, Cousins took 59 percent of his shot attempts at the rim, 24 percent from mid-range, and 17 percent from three (with only 1 percent coming from the corners).

That type of offensive diversity would provide the Nuggets second unit with a fluid attack out of the pick-and-roll or from motion sets.

Cousins would likely sign to a contending team for a veteran minimum deal, and should he stay healthy; he would be a vital cog in a team’s second unit. With the Nuggets positioning themselves for post-season success and needing additional help at the five, Cousins could be the answer they’re looking for.