The Denver Nuggets won't have many cheap options to choose from that fit their needs in free agency next season, but a path could emerge for the best cheap option on the market to join the Nuggets if rumors end up being right.
LeBron James may play one more season on his retirement tour, and he's looking to win a title if he does. The rumor is he could take the league minimum to do it, allowing the door to swing open for the Nuggets to try and sign LeBron in an absolute pipe dream of a scenario.
It's not as crazy as it appears. Per some oddsmakers, the Nuggets are the third-odds-on favorite to land LeBron, behind the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors. And now, NBA insider Jake Fischer of "Bleacher Report" has indicated that the "prevailing sentiment" around the league is that LeBron could take the veteran's minimum contract to do it.
"There is definitely, I think, a prevailing sentiment around the league that LeBron, wherever he goes, would be best served to take a minimum salary contract if he does care ultimately about winning another championship," Fischer said.
That's music to the Nuggets' ears if they're serious about trying to bring in LeBron. If he does leave the Lakers, the Nuggets need to be ready to make their case for bringing him to Denver.
The Nuggets would get an instant boost
The Nuggets would get an instant boost by adding LeBron, and even at 41, he still plays harder and better than most of the league. He averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds this season.
Sure, LeBron doesn't play great defense anymore, but he's still athletic as can be, he can still move, and he has a great passing ability. His addition would give the Nuggets' offense a huge weapon.
Just imagine LeBron facilitating some offense with Nikola Jokic in the paint, and Jamal Murray on the wing. The Nuggets would spread the floor even more, and there could be a bunch of open shots for whoever else is on the floor with the trio.
LeBron's fire could rub off on Jokic for leadership
One season of LeBron in Denver could also have a huge benefit for Jokic. Jokic doesn't have the fire to be the leader the Nuggets need a lot of the time, and he's even admitted it himself. However, LeBron has never lacked the fire.
One thing discussed among Nuggets pundits after the season ended was that Jokic could greatly benefit from adding an older veteran who could come in and help lead and bring the fire the Nuggets seemed to lack against the Timberwolves. LeBron would fit that mold to a T.
It's a pipe dream to add LeBron to the Nuggets at a bargain price. It could be a reality later on this summer if the report is right.
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