The Denver Nuggets are perilously close to going over the NBA's second apron tax, and that's before they try to re-sign any free agent and unrestricted free agent Peyton Watson. It means the Nuggets are going to have to spend and pay some tax to win, or mostly stick with what they've got and run it back. But Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke has never signaled he's willing to spend his riches to win, and there's no indication that will change.
The Nuggets failed to make a deal for or sign a key player at the trade deadline, instead ducking the luxury tax to avoid extra penalties for being a repeater of violating the tax threshold. That's understandable, but also infuriating for fans. It's pennies in reality for a billionaire, the value of which would probably be recouped with a championship.
And it's not something that was glanced over by Nuggets legend Dan Issel. The former Nuggets player, head coach, and GM, said bluntly, but with a side of humor, that Kroenke "is the most frugal billionaire since Warren Buffett."
The Nuggets may not make many moves due to cap space
Sure, it's a sarcastic take, to some degree, but it does sting knowing that some teams, like the Cleveland Cavaliers, are willing to violate the second apron tax in an effort to win a title. The Cavs traded for James Harden at the trade deadline, and they're now in the second round of the playoffs.
Issel was pessimistic about the moves the Nuggets could make, and he isn't wrong. Every Nugget except for Nikola Jokic is on the table, but large contracts for Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon, plus other questions, like Gordon's injury risk, will really hamper the Nuggets' ability to make a deal that improves them.
The harsh reality is that if the Nuggets aren't able to make a trade, they're left with just cutting Jonas Valanciunas to save about $8 million and signing some cheap free agents, and they'll probably lose P-Wat. They've got so much money on the books, there just isn't much wiggle room.
Nuggets could have made a move at the deadline for talent
Kroenke could still have to pay a tax penalty next year without the right moves anyway. And if he did this year, the Nuggets' outcome could be different. A player like Jared McCain was gettable for cheap, and he wouldn't have incurred much of a tax bill for the Nuggets.
McCain, the 16th pick of the first round of 2024's NBA Draft, averaged 10.4 points and 2.1 rebounds in 30 games with the Oklahoma City Thunder after his trade at the deadline from the Philadelphia 76ers. The Thunder got him for some second-round picks and a trade piece that didn't even stick in Philly for a day. The Nuggets wound up needing depth and athleticism against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and McCain would have fit that bill.
Maybe there was no chance for a deal with any team, but it's the NBA. Someone is always willing to wheel and deal. But the Kroenke's just wanted to avoid the tax. And it looks like they'll do what they can to avoid as much tax as they can again this year, too.
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