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Fansided

14 Players the Denver Nuggets gave up on way too soon

By Tyler Watts

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)
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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Michael Adams, Denver Nuggets stretches prior to the start of an NBA game circa 1991 (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Michael Adams, Denver Nuggets (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

8. Michael Adams

Adams was drafted by the Kings in the third round in 1985, and he was signed and waived twice before being traded with Jay Vincent in 1987 to the Nuggets. The 5’10 point guard was a backup for the Bullets before the deal where he averaged just 20.7 minutes per game.

Adams took off for the Nuggets as he immediately earned the starting job in the backcourt next to Fat Lever. Denver defeated the Sonics in the opening round of the playoffs in 1988 before being eliminated by the Mavericks in the conference semifinals. Adams just kept getting better, though, including averaging 26.5 points, 10.5 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game in 1991. The Nuggets won just 20 games and missed the playoffs for the first time in a decade, but Adams showed he could put up monster numbers.

The Nuggets traded him back to Washington in 1991, so they could move up from 19th to eighth in the draft. Denver used the selection to take Mark Macon, who lasted just two and half years with the franchise and struggled to find a consistent role.

Michael Adams made his only All-Star appearance in 1992, and he had three productive seasons in Washington after leaving the Nuggets. The then-Bullets did not make the playoffs, but the 5’10 point guard had plenty left in the tank, and the Denver Nuggets gave up on him too soon.