Grading NBA expert’s realistic and dream Nuggets offseason targets

The NBA offseason is officially in full swing for the Nuggets after their crushing playoff loss to the Timberwolves in the Western Conference Semifinals. The blood isn’t even dry yet, and rumors and hypotheticals are already flying around left and right.

Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report released an article on Wednesday called, “Dream and Realistic Offseason Targets for Every NBA Team” where he named two possible acquisitions for every team in the league this summer; one that is realistic and one that may be wishful thinking.

The Nuggets have major financial limitations but also need to make some upgrades to the roster. Bailey focused on the center position and finding a reliable big man who can keep the team afloat while Nikola Jokic isn’t on the floor and can add depth while bolstering the bench, which was a weakness for the Nuggets this season.

Realistic offseason target for the Nuggets: Andre Drummond

Drummond, the veteran center who spent last season in Chicago playing for the Bulls is in the twilight of his career and could be available for a veteran minimum contract (which is all the Nuggets can offer), but he proved this season that he can still be an elite rebounder.

Drummond would be an immediate upgrade over DeAndre Jordan and Zeke Nnaji as a giant, bruising force down low. Drummond has no range, limited mobility, and cannot defend on the perimeter. But he does have quintessential big-man skills and could easily be relied upon for 10-20 minutes a game if needed.

Grade: B+

Dream offseason target for the Nuggets: Kelly Olynyk

Olynyk is another big man but in a very different mold. He’s much more of a finesse player who has great ball skills and a nice shooting stroke. He could even play alongside Jokic as someone who can stretch the floor and can be lethal from three-point range.

Olynyk is still under contract with the Raptors, but that team is rebuilding and the Nuggets could possibly tempt them to trade away the big Canadian with some draft capital. Could Zeke Nnaji and the 28th overall pick be enough to get it done? It’s certainly possible, and after all, this is a “dream” target. But he would be an amazing fit in Denver and immediately provide a massive upgrade to the Nuggets’ bench.

Grade: A-