The Denver Nuggets' offseason is likely to bring changes to the roster, big or small. The players they bring in via trades or free agency will fill team needs as best they can. But one other thing that shouldn't be overlooked is how well that player will fit around Nikola Jokic. The Nuggets should add that small string to the players they're profiling, because he just elevates others offensively.
And that means adding someone on the cheap who can shoot the open three as that string. Simply adding a lockdown perimeter defender who can't shoot the open three would take away a weapon that Jokic and the Nuggets may need even more next season.
Jokic wasn't able to shoot the three-ball like we were used to seeing from him at the end of the season and in the playoffs. He shot only 19.4% against the Timberwolves from beyond the arc, compared to 38.0% this season and 41.7% last season.
Nuggets need to pair Jokic with the right defender/shooter
But Joker was still finding the open players. The Nuggets were just missing more open shots than their league-leading three-point percentage would have suggested. So, who fits the profile of some bargain free agent targets the Nuggets should look at?
They could first bring Tim Hardaway Jr. back. He'll most likely be a minimum contract again. He's undeniably at the top of his three-point shooting game. He's just not a stout defender, but he's an affordable target who does enough for the Nuggets system to be successful.
Keon Ellis makes a lot of sense to have on the Nuggets' radar. He plays defense, and he can shoot. Ellis shot 36.3% from three this season, but 43.3% in 2024-25. Ellis could be a budget-friendly option for the second-apron adjacent Nuggets, and he would fit well with Joker.
The Nuggets could have an issue finding bargains
There just aren't going to be a lot of bargains that fit the mold the Nuggets are going to need to improve next year. Not without some cap space, which the Nuggets currently do not have. That's why Jamal Murray's name has been bandied about at the front and center of the rumors to start the offseason.
Murray is coming off the best season of his career, and he's never carried more value. The issue for trading Murray will be his hefty $50.1 million and what he's owed beyond that. It'll be a significant hit for some teams to absorb without triggering tax penalties.
It's going to be a challenging offseason for the Nuggets' roster construction. But if they do bring in new additions, complementing Nikola Jokic with sharpshooting perimeter defense is the way to go.
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