It's not the most consequential move, but it certainly leaves the Denver Nuggets with a much larger hole to fill in the ball-control and point-guard department. Per Bennett Durando of The Denver Post, the Nuggets unexpectedly declined the team option year for Jalen Pickett, the 32nd overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, who was acquired via a draft night trade, was, at the moment, the backup point guard on the roster. The Nuggets will finally give up on their Pickett plans.
Pickett never cracked the Nuggets' rotation unless he filled in for someone who was injured, despite being the favored choice to play more minutes off the bench by former Nuggets GM Calvin Booth. He was never going to be the answer off the bench. But the thought this offseason was that Pickett would have his option picked up by the Nuggets for the value price of $2.4 million, slightly less than the Nuggets would spend on a veteran's minimum.
The Nuggets are pressing right up to the NBA's second apron penalty threshold, and a bargain roster spot seemed inevitable for Pickett. But the Nuggets seem serious about making changes, and letting Pickett go for someone they might actually play is a better option.
Nuggets will turn to free agency to fill the void
Now, the Nuggets will have to turn their focus to the free agent market to fill the void at backup point guard. They need ball-control, and it would be nice to get a backup point guard who's capable of some defense and shot creation. However, the backup point guard market in the free agency pool is pretty shallow depth-wise.
Collin Sexton, a free agent from the Chicago Bulls, would be a heck of a pickup in FA for the Nuggets if they could swing him at the league minimum. But he likely won't be minimum. Sexton can score, and he's averaged 17.5 points in his 8-year career.
More likely candidates for the Nuggets include bringing back Tyus Jones, who was the Nuggets' final roster member last year after they signed him off a buyout from the Dallas Mavericks. Gary Payton II is also on the market. Marcus Smart has also become available, but probably won't be gettable for the minimum.
That leaves a veteran darkhorse who's already made his mark on Denver once, Russell Westbrook. Bring back Russ! Mend the fences, get it done. Russ might not be a defensive juggernaut, but he's got the dog in him that the Nuggets missed against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and he's still capable of putting up triple-doubles. Make it happen, Nuggets!
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