The 2022 trade deadline is now in the background and the Denver Nuggets elected to not make any moves, likely enjoying their recent success with the Bryn Forbes trade and DeMarcus Cousins signing.
And after the deadline, the next natural talking point in the buyout market. Unlike the trade deadline, the buyout market has plenty of suitors for the best players and teams go from outbidding one another to selling their potential role, playing time, and title odds to prospective players.
The Denver Nuggets currently have one open roster spot after turning P.J. Dozier and Bol Bol into Forbes, but with DeMarcus Cousins on his second and final 10-day deal, it’s looking like it’s Boogie’s to lose.
But just before Boogie assumes a permanent spot on this roster, there are some interesting names out there that Denver should consider.
I should mention that it isn’t going to be Boogie or bust, Tim Connelly and the Nuggets front office could just as easily waive another player on the roster (like Facundo Campazzo) to bring in a different player.
Denver Nuggets buyout candidates: Goran Dragic
Goran Dragic was traded to the San Antonio Spurs for Thaddeus Young and a first-round pick according to Shams Charania, The Athletic.
Dragic played in just five games for the Raptors this season before being allowed to train away from the team. Those five games weren’t representative of what he can do bring to a team and with his long history in the league, it’s likely he’s on the Andre Igoudala program of resting but playing up to his standard when he does.
It’s expected that the Spurs, a team with a crowded backcourt and no pressure to win games this season, waives Goran per Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN, with the Dallas Mavericks being favorites from the get-go. Dragic has an obvious connection with fellow Slovenian Luka Doncic
Wojnarowski reported that Dallas will be competing with the Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls, and LA Clippers in a buyout. But should the Denver Nuggets get involved?
Even after trading for Forbes, the Nuggets are down a lead creator with Jamal Murray sidelined. Dragic could come in and act as a poor man’s Murray, creating shots for himself and others while also draining catch-and-shoot baskets from Nikola Jokic‘s creation.
With Monte Morris and Will Barton in the starting lineup when healthy, what Dragic brings might be superfluous. But then again, adding Dragic doesn’t have to be to improve the Nuggets, it could also be to weaken a Western Conference opponent in Dallas. Is that too much 4D chess?