The Denver Nuggets finished a disappointing season with a first-round playoff exit to the Minnesota Timberwolves, losing in six games. Now, the Nuggets are looking at a potential rebuild and cost-cutting measures to avoid penalties for going over the NBA's second apron tax, well past the luxury tax threshold.
The Nuggets are going to have to make some tough decisions on which free agents return, and who they're going to let pursue a new team next year. Surely, their salary cap woes will dictate a lot of the decisions.
5. Tyus Jones
Tyus Jones was brought in to add depth for the Nuggets as the playoffs approached. He was a free pickup who landed in Denver after his contract was bought out by the Mavericks. He ended up playing meaningful minutes in Games 5 and 6 against the Timberwolves due to his ball-handling, but he scored just 9 points in 30 minutes of playoff action. However, the hall-handling specialist did not commit a turnover.
4. Bruce Brown
Bruce Brown, the only Nugget to play in all 82 games this season, was back in Denver on a one-year minimum contract. Brown was nice depth for the Nuggets during the regular season, and he showed flashes of perimeter defense at times. Brown averaged 7.9 points and 3.9 rebounds off the bench during the regular season, but he struggled in the playoffs, like every Nuggets player, and he finished the six playoff games with a minus-26 plus-minus rating.
3. Spencer Jones
Spencer Jones was a shining star for the Nuggets this year. Jones began the year on a two-way contract, but he signed on for a minimum salary to complete the year on a standard contract. While he averaged only 5.5 points and 3.3 rebounds, Jones started 37 games and provided defensive depth and physicality when the Nuggets needed him to fill in for someone who was out of the lineup or hurt. Jones even started three games in the playoffs for the injured Aaron Gordon.
Jones is a restricted free agent, and the Nuggets will have a chance to match any offer he receives.
2. Tim Hardaway Jr.
Tim Hardaway Jr. was signed to the Nuggets on a one-year minimum deal before the season started. The 13-year veteran was a steal for the money. Hardaway Jr. was a finalist for the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year Award, and he was second on the team with 224 made threes. Hardaway averaged 13.9 points in 26.6 minutes off the bench for the Nuggets in 80 games. He could be a great deal for the Nuggets again.
1. Peyton Watson
The biggest name on the list, and one of the most sought-after free agents on the entire market this summer, is Peyton Watson. Watson is a restricted free agent, and the Nuggets will have at least a shot to re-sign him if they're able to match the contract Watson will receive from someone. But they'll have to be creative to re-sign him, or face steep penalties for violating the NBA's tax thresholds.
Watson exploded this season, averaging 14.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game in 29.6 minutes per game in 54 games played, including 40 starts. Watson picked up the pace when other Nuggets, like Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun, exited the lineup to injury. However, Watson had injuries of his own, and he never played for the Nuggets in the playoffs.
It's very likely some on this list won't be back. We'll know more once July rolls around.
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