9 Former Denver Nuggets that the team can re-sign this summer
By Ben Handler
![Apr 3, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns center Bol Bol (11) shoots against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports Apr 3, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns center Bol Bol (11) shoots against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_5557,h_3125,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/78/01j02nw87c6h9m583zjz.jpg)
The Nuggets have a lot of questions to answer this offseason, but the biggest one is how they are going to add depth and build out the bench. The team is up against it, salary cap-wise, and will have very limited means to add talent this summer.
The biggest domino to fall is the looming free agency of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. It seems likely that KCP will opt out of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent. While that doesn’t eliminate the Nuggets from bringing him back, it will make things extremely difficult financially.
But whether or not the team is able to retain Caldwell-Pope, they are going to be operating in the luxury tax; it’s just a matter of whether they’ll be over the first apron or second apron. Either way, they aren’t going to have cap space and will be limited to minimum contracts and exceptions.
Nuggets need to find ways to add value this offseason
In other words, the Nuggets aren’t winning any bidding wars this offseason. They’ll have to be prudent and diligent and bank on being able to sell free agents on fit, role, and the possibility of chasing a ring while playing alongside the best player alive.
While the Nuggets do have some solid advantages in those regards and can make appealing offers, it may not be enough. But another good place to start may be with players who have already been with the organization. There are many former Nuggets in the free agency pool and a reunion could be mutually beneficial for several.
Some of these players left in free agency, some were traded, and some were simply released from the team. Some left on good terms and others not so good. But the NBA is a business and if coming back to the Nuggets is the right move, these players should relish the opportunity. Here are 9 pending free agents who once played in Denver that the Nuggets should consider bringing back this offseason.