The Nuggets' trade deadline deal with the Brooklyn Nets not only dumped salary and put them under the luxury tax for the first time in years, but it also gave them an additional roster spot they can use to shore up the end of the bench with an able-bodied veteran. You couldn't have asked for more from such a simple deal. It's the perfect combination for a team reeling from what has been a staggering run of bad luck.
The Nuggets need viable help off the bench as the season progresses to the playoffs. Tyson was serviceable at best, but he wasn't impactful. His salary was enough to dump and accomplish Denver's stated goals of avoiding the luxury tax this year.
According to Bennett Durando, the Nuggets will now turn to the buyout market. He says their priority is to find a "playable guy." The injuries have added up so much, that's where we're at.
But that's not a bad situation considering the buyout market has a few guys on it that are still pretty good. NBA insider Brett Siegel has Lonzo Ball, Cam Thomas, Eric Gordon, and even Chris Paul listed as available on the market.
Lonzo could be a lot of fun in a Denver uniform, but he comes with his own injury problems. Thomas would be a great addition to the perimeter. He's a natural scorer, but he doesn't offer much else in his game. Gordon, who is 37, is essentially Thomas but with veteran experience.
David Adelman will find a way to make it work
Whatever direction the Nuggets go in, Coach Adelman will figure out how to make it work. He'll just plug whoever we sign into the lineup and get the most out of them. That's his M.O. He's been so fantastic at managing the adversity this season. I doubt his success with rotations stops now.
Adelman's also got someone in Julian Strawther who has been playing some excellent basketball the last five games. He's been hovering around 20 minutes a game, and he's scored 9, 15, and 11 points in the past three. Strawther has also hit some big threes and rebounded well, snagging 8 against the Pistons.
We'll probably find out who the Nuggets decide to go with soon. The latest injury report brought news that Peyton Watson will miss at least four weeks with a hamstring injury, and Spencer Jones will miss time while he recovers from a concussion, joining Aaron Gordon on the sidelines. At least Cam Johnson has been upgraded to questionable. It's his first chance to play since December 23rd.