Denver Nuggets: 5 way too early mid-season buyout candidates
By Alex Murray
Denver Nuggets buyout candidate #3: Avery Bradley, G, Houston Rockets
While Ross is a solution for the Denver Nuggets’ expected bench scoring issues, Avery Bradley could be the defensive ace in the backcourt that they’ve been missing for the past few years. The veteran was traded to the Houston Rockets during last season, but his option was not picked up, making him a free agent.
Bradley recently worked out for the Golden State Warriors, but nothing became of it, so he remains a free agent. I know he’s not technically a buyout candidate because he’s not signed to another team, but like every other player on this list, he’s a veteran looking for a new home that has its eyes on Larry OB.
The 30-year-old could very well be signed soon, and possibly by a team other than the Nuggets. But who knows, once March comes around, wherever he ends up might not be a match, and the Joker and company could swoop in with the perfect pitch.
The Nuggets have struggled to defend the backcourt for a while. Gary Harris couldn’t stay healthy and while Jamal Murray has improved his defense markedly, no one would ever consider him an All-Defensive NBA guy, and he’s out anyway. Will Barton isn’t much of a defender and neither is Monte Morris. Facundo Campazzo has a lot of energy but his size makes it tough for him to be an effective stopper.
Even though he’s more of a two-three hybrid, P.J. Dozier is probably the best backcourt defender on the team, but he’s still quite raw. A veteran lockdown defender like Bradley to take on the other team’s top scorer could be just what the doctor ordered for the Nuggets because lord knows they’ve got the scoring thing down.