3 players who could become X-factors for the Denver Nuggets in 2023
Looking back on our previous Bobby Portis example, when he first signed with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2020, nobody thought much of it. He was coming off a down year in New York, in which he put up his lowest point total since 2017, and played just 28 games with the Wizards the year prior.
All of which resulted in him getting waived by the Knicks and signing with the Bucks for less than $4 million a year.
Where is he now? Well, he’s become an invaluable member for one of the greatest teams in basketball. Having played a key role in Milwaukee’s 2020-21 NBA championship run, posting 11.4 points and 7.1 rebounds off the bench in the regular season. Not to mention countless memorable moments in the playoffs, which has led him to become a fan favourite amongst Bucks faithful.
So, much like how the Milwaukee Bucks were able to find a diamond in the rough with Bobby Portis. I could see the Denver Nuggets pulling off a similar type of deal this offseason by bringing back an aging Gary Harris.
By now you’re probably a little tired of hearing the Gary Harris reunion rumours, but quite frankly, I don’t care. When you take a look at where both Bobby Portis and the Bucks were when they made the deal, how could you not draw comparisons to Harris and the Nuggets.
Before Portis signed with the Bucks, Milwaukee was a budding franchise on the cusp of greatness (I.e., Denver) and Portis was without a home coming off a disappointing season with the Knicks (I.e., Harris).
Sure, the Nuggets could use more depth at the center position, but it’s on the wing where Denver needs the most help. Other than Aaron Gordon, the team has zero reliable perimeter defenders under contract for 2023. Porter and Barton each have the ability to put up points, but neither is on the floor because of their defense.
The elephant in the room is that the Denver Nuggets are one of the most cap-strapped franchises in the association. With $143 million tied up in guaranteed money between eight different players. The team is on track to go way above the projected luxury tax line of $149 million, per Spotrac. Meaning that they’ll be limited to a $6.4 million taxpayer mid-level exception this offseason.
As a quality 27-year-old 3-and-D type player, many would argue that Gary Harris is worth far more than this. While I can’t really argue that, the 2022 NBA offseason is also loaded with talent at the wing positions and Harris does have a lengthy history with injuries. So much so that many teams could pass up on him, allowing the Nuggets to sneak in and acquire his talents.
Outside of the fact that he’s already familiar with the system, having played the first 6.5 seasons of his career in Denver. He’s also the only veteran free agent this summer who has chemistry and experience playing with Nuggets’ superstar, Nikola Jokic.
Other players the Denver Nuggets could look to sign who also fall under that mid-level exception mark include Wesley Matthews, Derrick Jones Jr., and Gary Payton II. Though, the idea of bringing Gary Harris back to Denver for one last run seems more and more likely by the day.