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?
Denver Nuggets buyout candidates: Gary Harris
I’m seeing this name floating around a lot on Nuggets Twitter and while it’s a long shot at the moment, would a reunion between the Mile High City and Gary Harris work for both sides?
After not being moved at the deadline, Harris is on an expiring contract and playing solid basketball on a team that has no plans to win this season. He’s a prime candidate to be bought out and if he does, would the Denver Nuggets want to?
Assuming Boogie does get re-signed to the final roster spot after his second 10-day deal, the Nuggets would have to waive someone to add Harris to the roster. The most likely candidate there is Facu Campazzo (something I don’t think Nuggets Twitter would be too mad about).
If Harris does enter the buyout market, the Nuggets might have an edge on the rest of the league given his early success in Denver.
This season, Gary is averaging 11.7 points while shooting 39 percent on his 3-point attempts with just under two assists and one steal a night. Returning to Denver wouldn’t guarantee he gets back to his early career averages but he’d be a great 3-and-D guard to have in the rotation.
The rise of Bones Hyland here helps as well. Since he can capably take on backup point guard minutes, there isn’t much of a need for Campazzo when this team’s at full strength.
But does Orlando really want to let Harris go? They could lose him in free agency for nothing this offseason but his shooting and off-ball movement are ideal when helping the younger players on their roster develop.
There has been little-to-no buzz about this so far so we’ll have to wait and see
Denver Nuggets buyout candidates: Derrick Favors
Derrick Favors was salary dumped to the Oklahoma City Thunder this past offseason and has a player option worth just over $10 million next season. He hadn’t been efficient the year prior as Rudy Gobert’s backup and his shooting has fallen off a cliff in OKC.
Because of that decline, he’s more likely to be bought out as the Thunder would be better off gifting his minutes to a younger player who might develop into something more. Should the Denver Nuggets sign him if this is the case?
At the moment, DeMarcus Cousins looks like he’s going to be the backup big man for the remainder of the season but he’s also not shooting the ball well. Does Tim Connelly look at Favors as a bit of a reclamation project? Does he get back to his efficient ways in Denver?
Short answer, no. Favors wasn’t good enough to get moved at the deadline and since he’s almost definitely going to pick up his player option for next season, the Thunder might be better off holding on to the big man, taking it into next season and hope he can recoup some value there.
Denver Nuggets buyout candidates: Tristan Thompson
Tristan Thompson was part of the surprising Domantas Sabonis/Tyrese Haliburton trade with the Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings.
Thompson was already on the outside of the Kings rotation this season after being dumped this past offseason. He’s still a fine role player who has a nose for offensive rebounds and isn’t elite at defending the rim, but he’s better off playing a much smaller role.
The potential here for the Denver Nuggets is the same as Derrick Favors, do they want to bring in a different player to backup Jokic?
TT played 15 minutes for the Indiana Pacers in their loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers but with prospects like Goga Bitadze, Jalen Smith, and Isaiah Jackson on their roster, would Indy be better off clearing out the frontcourt rotation to see what they have?
Would the Denver Nuggets be better not signing anybody?
Getting involved in the buyout market is fun. Fans get to think about adding new players that wouldn’t cost a thing but after not moving anybody at the trade deadline, are the Denver Nuggets fine as they are?
Winning six of their past ten (seven of their past three before the loss against the Boston Celtics), the Nuggets are on a roll. Nikola Jokic is an MVP candidate and if he’s on the court, the team is elite on offense. Adding Bryn Forbes has helped the shooting of the roster and young guys like Bones or Zeke Nnaji are flourishing off the bench.
Speaking with Mike Singer, The Denver Post, Michael Malone told his players not to worry about the upcoming trade deadline:
"“As we started, I said, ‘I’m not saying nothing can’t happen in the next couple of hours, this is the NBA, but as far as I’m concerned, there’s nothing going on’.”"
It seems like the Nuggets are content with their roster. Cousins will slide into the final roster spot and Malone has a solid ten-man rotation for the remainder of the season and playoffs. There’s also the possibility that Jamal Murray or Michael Porter Jr. could return by season’s end and that’s bigger than any potential trade.
Malone added that he really loves the group Denver has right now, there’s no need to make a big move to shake it up. Sometimes the best thing to do is be patient and currently sitting sixth in the Western Conference, things are looking good for the Nuggets, why change that?