It looks like the Denver Nuggets will be entering their 2023-24 campaign a bit shorthanded at the wing spot. Last week, rotation forward Vlatko Cancar tore his left ACL while playing in a FIBA World Cup preliminary game for Slovenia. The injury will likely keep him sidelined for a large chunk of the season — possibly the entire year.
The 26-year-old was set to take on a more substantial role off of the bench with the Nuggets this season after both Jeff Green and Bruce Brown skipped town in free agency. Throughout the course of Denver’s 2023 NBA championship run, Cancar played just two minutes per game in the postseason, with Green and Brown filling the majority of the bench opportunities.
He appeared in 60 regular-season games for the Nuggets last season, playing about 14.8 minutes each time. During the short minutes, Cancar averaged 5.0 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 47.6% from the field and 37.4% from beyond the arc.
With him, Brown, and Green all out of the picture, Denver is going to have to find someone to eat up the backup wing minutes.
The first and most obvious candidate to do so is Christian Braun. Braun took on a small role in the playoffs last spring. He logged about 13.0 minutes per game and averaged 3.2 points and 2.1 rebounds in the short minutes. The former Jayhawk proved to be able to hang when the lights were bright and could be ready for more responsibility this season.
Another option could be Zeke Nnaji, a fourth-year forward out of Arizona. Much like Cancar, Nnaji spent most of the postseason watching from the bench. However, he did have a small role during the regular season, playing about 13.7 minutes per game in 53 appearances. He tallied 5.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game while knocking down 56.1% of his attempts overall and 26.2% of those from deep. Though his three-point percentage was rough last year, it was the first season where he shot below 40% from long range, albeit on limited attempts. He could benefit from some extra opportunity at just 22 years old.
What if neither player is able to make an impact off of the bench? How will the Nuggets fill the void? Well, they could look to pursue a Cancar replacement via trade.
1. Denver Nuggets land Otto Porter Jr. in trade with Toronto Raptors
If the Denver Nuggets were to go and take the “trade for more help” route, then Toronto Raptors forward Otto Porter Jr. could serve as a cheap option. Denver could offer something like the trade below to try and entice the Raptors to offload the 30-year-old wing.
The three-for-one swap would have to be the route the Nuggets take in order to match Porter Jr.’s $6.3 million salary. The real prizes for the Raptors would be 20-year-old Peyton Watson and the 2025 second-rounder, two pieces to help their impending rebuild.
He missed almost all of last season as he battled a toe injury, but played a key role in the Golden State Warriors’ 2022 NBA title run.
Porter Jr. appeared in 63 games for the Dubs in his lone season with them, playing about 22.2 minutes each time. He averaged 8.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game as a reserve, shooting 46.4% from the field and 37.0% from distance.
If he could return to that level of play, then he’d be a fantastic bench addition for the Nuggets in Cancar’s absence.
2. Denver Nuggets offload pair of picks for the promising Cam Thomas
Another avenue the Denver Nuggets could take to replace the injured Vlatko Cancar could be the hone-in on Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas. Thomas had himself a few moments during the 2022-23 season. The 21-year-old ripped off three straight 40+-point games for the Nets back in February.
If the Nuggets were to convince the Nets to give up the exciting guard, the price could look something like a pair of second-round picks — or perhaps even a first.
Would Brooklyn actually do this? It is tough to say, but if they’re not interested in keeping the young guard around, then they could get a few extra picks in return.
Thomas would be a great addition for the Nuggets’ bench. In 57 appearances for the Nets last season, he was good for 10.6 points per game on 44.1% from the floor and 38.3% from distance. Plus, the former LSU Tiger wouldn’t just be a rental for Denver, they’d have him under contract for this season and the next.
At just 6-foot 4-inches tall, he’d be giving up a few inches to the taller Cancar, but the scoring punch he’d provide could make the size discrepency worth it.
3. Denver Nuggets reunite with Danilo Gallinari
A familiar face could serve as the solution for the Denver Nuggets’ thin wing depth. The recently traded Danilo Gallinari would be an interesting addition for the reigning champions should they decide that they need some extra help off of the bench.
Gallinari played six seasons in Denver from 2011-17, appearing in 303 total games. He averaged 16.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game on 41.9%/36.6% shooting splits. The former No. 6 overall pick spent last season with the Boston Celtics, recovering from a torn ACL.
At 35 years old, the Italian would be a risky option for the Nuggets. But, he may be someone that the Washington Wizards part with for a relatively cheap price.
The hypothetical trade package would look very similar to the one in the Otto Porter Jr. scenario. It’d make sense for Washington to be interested in young talent and an additional draft pick. By trading Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis this summer, they essentially went into full rebuild mode.