As the preseason winds down and the regular season approaches, the Nuggets hope to firm up their roster, which also means building out their G-League squad, the Grand Rapids Gold. On Monday, they made a couple of moves with that purpose in mind, signing Terrence Hargrove Jr. and Coleman Hawkins to exhibit-10 contracts.
They signed these players, then waived them, hoping they will clear waivers and they can be signed to the G-League roster. These may seem like peculiar transactions, but they’ve become standard business around the league as the players get a nice bump, plus a chance to earn their spot in the NBA.
For the Nuggets, it’s a chance to get a look at three relatively unknown players, to buy three lottery tickets that could pop and be signed via a two-way deal, or even given a full-time roster spot if things go that well.
Chances are, we’ll never see any of these guys in Denver, but there is zero downside, and if they do hit on a guy like this, it would be a massive score for the franchise.
Nuggets staying true to their vision with wing players
The Nuggets have been very clear with their vision this offseason, taking swings at as many wing players as possible. They’ve got the perfect center in Nikola Jokic, and a very good point guard in Jamal Murray. Filling out the roster with rangy wings who can ideally shoot and defend has become the goal.
They telegraphed this by trading for Cam Johnson and signing Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. Then, they doubled down with the two-way spots, opting for Spencer Jones, Tamar Bates, and Curtis Jones even when another point guard or big man might have made more sense.
Denver has continued down this path even with their e10 contracts, adding Kessler Edwards late in the summer. And now, they’re following suit with two wing players in Hargrove and Hawkins. The Nuggets’ front office has identified the value of the wing position in the modern NBA, and they want to take as many swings as possible.
Maybe none of them work out, but again, they already have a very solid wing room, featuring Christian Braun, Cam Johnson, Aaron Gordon, Hardaway Jr., Brown, Julian Strawther, Peyton Watson, plus all of the two-way and exhibit 10 options.
Wings are the hottest commodity in the game, and the Nuggets know that. They want to get as many guys as possible into their building to take a look and try to find a diamond in the rough.