Fans were itching for the Nuggets to make a move as they’ve been silent in trade talks and didn’t make a selection in the draft. The team finally gave the fans what they wanted, moments after the draft, agreeing to sign undrafted free agent Tamar Bates to a two-way contract.
The problem? Bates played in college at Missouri, just furthering the connection between the Kroenke family and the university. There have been previous rumors of ownership having a bias toward Missouri, with one report even suggesting the Kroenkes wouldn’t allow the GM to trade Michael Porter Jr. due to the Mizzou connection.
Kroenke shot that down, laughing off that rumor, but this move certainly isn’t helping his case. At the introductory press conference for new front office leaders Ben Tenzer and Jon Wallace, Josh Kroenke was asked about his role with the team and said his role wasn’t day-to-day, but that he would be around a lot during this transition.
I’ve been skeptical ever since the firing of Calvin Booth that Kroenke would truly be hands-off and allow the new hires to do their job, and the first player being a Missouri Tiger isn’t exactly doing him any favors in that department.
Missouri connection is too strong to ignore
Overall, this isn’t a reflection on Bates, who was a great college player, a solid prospect, and somebody who easily could’ve been drafted in the second round. Plus, it’s only a two-way contract, so even if Bates never cracks the Nuggets’ rotation, that would hardly be a big loss.
But this is all about the principle. This is supposed to be a new era for the Nuggets and a new front office that will think differently and capitalize on the margins. But this first transaction seems straight out of the old playbook, right down to the Missouri connection.
Kroenke’s involvement growing concerning
Between the disastrous press conference and now this, it’s becoming clear that Kroenke is more involved with team-building and roster decisions than he wants to let on. Like it or not, he’s going to have a say and will ultimately be the final decision-maker.
If he’s willing to listen to Wallace and Tenzer, get out of the way, let them do their jobs, and will listen to the people he hired, then this shouldn’t be a huge problem But if he insists on sticking his nose into every matter that goes on, and continues forcing moves onto his subordinates, this organziation could quickly spiral into disaster.