4 Offseason moves Nuggets must make to quiet critics (and stay in contention)
By Ben Handler
Move no. 2) - Acquire veteran rotation players
As of right now, this is the biggest issue with the current roster. They essentially have four proven players in Jokic, Murray, Gordon, and MPJ. Christian Braun has been pretty solid and there’s reason to believe he can be relied upon to take on a bigger role.
But beyond that, the entire rest of the rotation is one big question mark. Can Peyton Watson take a leap and become a consistent part of the rotation? Julian Strawther? Zeke Nnaji? Jalen Pickett? There isn’t a single proven NBA rotation player outside of the top five guys on the current roster and that is a major issue for a team with championship aspirations.
The Nuggets need to make a few savvy deals as this free agency market starts to dry up. There are still plenty of solid veteran players who could help teams available, and the Nuggets badly need to add a couple. A reliable backup point guard and big man would do wonders for the bench and depth of this team.
Shy of that, the depth is way too shaky to enter next season and the team will be relying far too heavily upon unproven young players who were recently drafted outside of the lottery. The bench was a major issue for the team this past season and when the chips were down against the Wolves, the only players Michael Malone played off his bench were Braun, Justin Holiday, and Reggie Jackson.
Well now Braun has to start, Jackson has been traded, and Holiday is a free agent. Denver’s bench has somehow gotten even worse and that’s unacceptable. They need to make good use of the last couple of roster spots and sign proven veterans who can make an impact off the bench.