The Nuggets have been looking to fill the 15th and final roster spot with someone who reaches the buyout market and chooses to play in Denver. But it seems that, as of now, no one the Nuggets had an interest in wants to come play here. Why isn't Denver a desirable destination?
Khris Middleton is the latest to snub Denver, choosing to stay in Dallas, where he just landed a few weeks ago at the trade deadline. Middleton is choosing to stay and compete on a team that is lottery-bound versus coming to Denver and making a playoff run.
Sure, it's Middleton's decision, but it's an odd one. He could have a real shot at contributing some minutes and serviceable play for the Nuggets, and get a chance at making a title run.
Instead, he seems to be happy in Dallas, where he's started five of seven games and scored nearly 14 points per game since arriving from Washington. But why not Denver?
Middleton isn't the first to choose another suitor
Middleton's decision to stay in Dallas as a member of the Mavericks makes him at least the second rumored name on the market to choose another team to call home for the playoff chase.
First, it was Jeremy Sochan, the former first-round pick of the Spurs, who chose the Knicks over the Nuggets. Sochan fell out of favor in San Antonio, where he saw just under 13 minutes per game this season. Sochan would have been a good defensive wing who could have helped shore up some shaky moments in crunch time for the Nuggets. But ultimately, he chose the bright lights of New York, where he's actually seen his playing time decrease to just over seven minutes per game, making only five appearances.
The Nuggets missed another as deadline looms
The Nuggets had even shown interest in Kyle Anderson, the 11-year veteran forward, who had spent most of his career with the Spurs, Grizzlies, and Timberwolves. However, he too chose another destination, and he went back to Minnesota after playing in only 24 games this year as a member of the Jazz and Grizzlies.
The deadline to sign a 15th player to the roster is Sunday, March 1st. The Nuggets are pushing right up against that deadline, and are currently sporting 14 active players.
We don't know why Middleton, Sochan, and Anderson ultimately chose another destination. But we have to wonder why not Denver? Why not the Nuggets?
Was playing time the reason? Or, do these guys not see the Nuggets as a true contender? Hopefully, that is not the case. But it does raise an eyebrow as to why these guys aren't making their way to Denver.