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3 veterans the Denver Nuggets should target in free agency

By Rowan Fisher-Shotton

DENVER, CO - APRIL 05: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets high fives Aaron Gordon #50 of the Denver Nuggets against the San Antonio Spurs during the fourth quarter at Ball Arena on April 5, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - APRIL 05: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets high fives Aaron Gordon #50 of the Denver Nuggets against the San Antonio Spurs during the fourth quarter at Ball Arena on April 5, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 14: DeMarcus Cousins #4 of the Denver Nuggets looks on against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 14, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Nuggets defeated the 76ers 114-110.  (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 14: DeMarcus Cousins #4 of the Denver Nuggets looks on against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 14, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Nuggets defeated the 76ers 114-110.  (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Veterans the Denver Nuggets should target: DeMarcus Cousins

It’s no secret that the Denver Nuggets need more size and depth in the frontcourt to make them an established title contender. While I can certainly see them targeting this area in the draft, they might be better off signing a veteran big man in free agency. Since there’s sure to be plenty.

They could try again with the shot-blocking journeyman, JaVale McGee. Who Nuggets fans are all too familiar with by now. Or even bring in a Dwight Howard or Serge Ibaka on veteran minimums, both of whom would match Denver’s needs and carry invaluable winning experience.

Although, I think the best move here would be to re-sign the player who’s already proven himself within the rotation, DeMarcus Cousins.

Even though injuries robbed Boogie early in his career, preventing him from becoming the next generational big, as many had predicted. Denver provided him with an opportunity to rediscover himself last season, and he flourished as a result.

Nobody’s ever questioned Cousins’ ability to fill up the stat sheet, averaging 8.9 points and 5.5 rebounds in just under 14 minutes per game through 31 contests with the Nuggets in 2022. Not to mention his incredible performance in Denver’s first-round playoff loss to Golden State. In which he upped his numbers to 10.6 points per game on a whopping 65 percent shooting from the field, averaging fewer minutes (11.4), nonetheless.

The issue has been with his ability to stay healthy and contribute as a role player to a winning basketball team. It’s never easy to ask a former All-Star and All-NBA talent to come off the bench and contribute with the same level of consistency. But Cousins has proven he can be an impactful player in Denver as a backbone for the team’s second unit.

Obviously, one freak play could completely derail Boogie’s career in Denver. However, the Nuggets need a reliable backup center, and even sliding him in alongside Jokic to match up against bigger teams would provide a significant advantage.

I have three words for the Nuggets’ front office, “Bring Back Boogie!”

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