14 Players the Denver Nuggets gave up on way too soon

By Tyler Watts | Aug 10, 2023

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 21: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks on during a break in the action against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Pepsi Center on January 21, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Lakers defeated the Nuggets 107-97. 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 Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

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Denver Nuggets, Jalen Rose (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) /

9. Jalen Rose

Rose was drafted by the Nuggets with the 13th overall pick in 1994 after three years at the University of Michigan where he was part of the “Fab Five”.

The 6’8 forward immediately cracked the rotation, and he improved in his second season where he averaged 10.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and what would turn out to be his career-high 6.2 assists while playing 26.7 minutes per game. Rose still had a ton of untapped potential when the 23-year-old was traded to the Pacers in 1996.

He helped Indiana make the playoffs four times in five years, including three conference finals appearances and losing in the NBA Finals in 2000 to Kobe and Shaq’s Lakers. Rose became a feared offensive weapon that could guard and play multiple positions.

Jalen Rose was a 20-point per-game scorer for two straight years in his prime. He was at his peak as the Nuggets had an eight-year playoff drought from 1996 to 2003, and Denver had to regret letting the 6’8 forward go.

They received Mark Jackson in the trade only to trade him back to Indiana just eight months later. It turned into a disastrous move, and the Nuggets certainly wished they would have stuck with Rose.