Nuggets Free Agency

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Denver Nuggets: The Pelicans should trade Anthony Davis to the Nuggets

Denver Nuggets: best offseason targets

Denver Nuggets: Is the 2018 roster complete?

Could Isaiah Thomas push Jamal Murray for playing time?

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Denver Nuggets: Signing Isaiah Thomas made too much sense

BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 13: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball against the Denver Nuggets on December 13, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

Denver Nuggets: Why they should try for Marcus Smart

The Nuggets kept their win streak alive with a satisfying win against the Charlotte Hornets.Often, this season, the Nuggets have strung together enough good performances that we breathe a little easier and declare they've turned a corner. That elation is usually followed by baffling defeats to inferior teams. It's hard to say, with this team, if they've truly overcome the malaise that prevents them from jumping into that top-tier of Western Conference teams.Last night's contest with the visiting Hornets was one of those "trap" games that have plagued this gifted but inconsistent team. This night was different, though, led by Gary Harris' 27, the Nuggets were able to easily overcome the Hornets, 121-104, leading to further speculation that the Nuggets have shed the underachiever label and graduated to that next level.The win put the Nuggets back into the 6th spot in the Western Conference playoff race, a single game behind 5th place OKC. Nikola Jokic led with 16 rebounds and Will Barton handed out a team high 8 assists. Among the starters, only Wilson Chandler did not score in double-digits. The bench performed well, with Lyles, Mudiay and DA combining for 33 points, and Torrey Craig matching Lyles with 7 boards. Craig had a scare late on a high-flying block attempt (They say Flagrant 1 on DA, I say clean block.).Over the summer, I wrote about the Nuggets need to stay the course. My contention was, that, for the 2018-19 season, there is virtually no pathway to a championship for this young team. Without the addition of several, proven, top players, there is little chance that the Nuggets could beat the Warriors or Rockets over a 7-game series. The wise path forward, then is to develop the incredible amount of talent this team has cultivated and be prepared for when it is their time.The central theme of my piece was that our core, at full potential, is better than anything we could get in trade or through free agency. Put another way, at the top of their game, there's not another Center, Shooting Guard or Point that I'd rather have in Denver than Jokic, Harris and Murray. By way of support, I point to our 2-2 record against the Champs and the last week of games. This team is on the verge of breaking through.This is specifically why I bristle at the rumored trade scenarios out there for the Nuggets. There is no value in making moves just to make moves. I can't make the case that this team would be markedly improved by the addition of Kemba Walker, Elfrid Payton, Marcus Smart or any of the proposed PG swaps that we've heard (Collison?). We saw Kemba last night, we've seen Payton, I just don't see that their games would improve the Nuggets fortunes enough to mess with what has become great chemistry on this team. If we need a lesson on what damaging team chemistry can do to a tight team, we need look no further than across I-25 to the aftermath of the Broncos decision to part ways with TJ Ward. A seemingly small move, with a rising stud coming up behind him in Justin Simmons but it had an impact on a secondary that had finished first in the NFL two consecutive years.I get that professional sports are a business. I get that an immeasurable value like "chemistry" is difficult to attach a lot of team resources to but if this team has turned a corner and is competing and beating the top teams in the league, what need is there to upend that? We are already facing the imminent return and reintegration of Paul Millsap, which for all intents and purposes will be like acquiring him via trade. The fan base is easily placated with wins, so there's no need to appease them. The Nuggets have the highest increase in attendance in the league, they just had the largest crowd in their Pepsi Center history. They are smiling, they are enjoying this (Gary Harris declining to get posterized by Dwight Howard was classic). Until they show signs of regression, someone is going to have to explain to me why there's such a push to make a move before the trade deadline on Thursday.This will, of course, all be put to the test on Friday against a Rockets team that's pushing Golden State for the top record in the league. James Harden is playing the best basketball of his career and looks unstoppable. It's fitting, then that whatever team the Nuggets roll into Houston with is the team they will carry to the end of the season. I for one, believe in this team, as constituted. It's been fun to fantasize about what-if scenarios for LeBron or Kawhi but the realistic prospects for the Nuggets don't justify tinkering with a team that's playing as good as any in the League.As we saw last night, the Nuggets are fully capable of powering through trap games, coming off of big wins. If that maintains, it's one of the final hurdles to this team making some postseason noise and one step closer to NBA legitimacy.

Denver Nuggets: Free agency update #2

Cleveland Cavaliers v Denver NuggetsDENVER, CO - MARCH 7: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball during the game against the Denver Nuggets on March 7, 2018 at the Pepsi Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)Getty ID: 929060806

Denver Nuggets: Free agency update, day one

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 3: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets dribbles the ball against the Phoenix Suns on January 3, 2018 at the Pepsi Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

Denver Nuggets: Five cheap options at point guard

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 17: Mark Tatum, NBA's deputy commissioner, announces the Denver Nuggets as the #7 pick during the 2016 NBA Draft Lottery at the New York Hilton in New York, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Denver Nuggets guide to the 2018 off season

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MAY 20: Pau Gasol

Pau Gasol would be a great backup center for Nuggets

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 19: General Manager Tim Connelly of the Denver Nuggets talks to the media before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on January 19, 2016 at the Pepsi Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

Nuggets may be done making moves in free agency

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 16: Jonathon Simmons

Nuggets miss out on Jonathon Simmons in NBA free agency

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 16: Jonathon Simmons

Nuggets Free Agency Targets: Jonathon Simmons signing is ‘imminent’

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MAY 22: Jonathon Simmons

Nuggets Free Agency: Jonathon Simmons ‘talking to several teams’

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 07: Dewayne Dedmon

Nuggets: Dewayne Dedmon would be ideal

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 26: Denver Nuggets guard Mike Miller (3) and Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) have a little fun during pregame befroe their game against the Phoenix Suns January 26, 2016 at Pepsi Center. (Photo By John Leyba/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

Nuggets waive Mike Miller

CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 21: Mike Miller

Mike Miller’s Nuggets future in doubt

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 15: Kenneth Faried

Nuggets: Kenneth Faried for Jae Crowder?

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 18: George Hill

Nuggets Free Agency: Denver should consider Luc Mbah a Moute

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 12: Mason Plumlee

Nuggets Free Agency: Mason Plumlee won’t cost much

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 28: Jamal Crawford

How the Jamal Crawford signing affects the Nuggets

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 12: Kyle O'Quinn

Case for attempting to bring Carmelo Anthony back to Nuggets

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 11: Jonathon Simmons

Nuggets must target Jonathon Simmons in NBA free agency

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 30: Jae Crowder

Nuggets Free Agency: Celtics ‘engaged throughout NBA’ with trade talks

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 21: Andre Roberson

Denver Nuggets: No chance for Andre Roberson now

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 08: Inside linebacker Brandon Marshall

Nuggets: Thanks in order to Denver Broncos for Paul Millsap deal

BOSTON, MA - MAY 17: Marcus Smart

Nuggets should call Celtics about a trade for Marcus Smart