Prominent NBA media voice rips Nuggets "cheap" ownership to shreds for KCP loss

The NBA world has been reacting to free agency and real-time and the media discourse has not been kind to the Denver Nuggets and their offseason thus far. Most of the reaction stems from the team allowing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to leave town for the Orlando Magic, agreeing to a three-year, $66 million contract.

The Nuggets could have matched = or beaten - that offer, but it would have put the team above the second apron of luxury tax. Along with a hefty tax bill, that would have restricted the team in terms of what other roster moves they could make. Instead, they’ve made a bet on the young players to step up and develop, while maintaining some flexibility to make moves down the road.

Kevin O'Connor and Chris Vernon disagree with the Nuggets' moves

The overall sentiment from the media has been mostly backlash, with people disagreeing with the direction from Calvin Booth and ownership. One of the media's loudest and most critical voices in recent days has belonged to Kevin O’Connor of the Ringer. O’Connor, along with Chris Vernon, hosts the Mismatch podcast.

In their Tuesday, July 2nd episode they analyzed the loss of KCP and had some extremely harsh words for the Nuggets. Vernon introduced the transaction by saying, “This makes absolutely no sense to me for Denver, honestly. None whatsoever.” When KOC explained the move in greater detail, Verno added “It’s a mistake”.

KOC states cheap owners have failed Nikola Jokic

This prompted O’Connor to go on a bit of a tangent with his thoughts on the Nuggets that included some serious vitriol. Here are some of his most scathing comments.

"It’s undeniable that the Nuggets are a worse team today than they would have been with KCP and this hurts their finals chances in pretty profound ways...Denver’s in a tough spot all of a sudden...They’re the team where you look at it and say that’s cheap ownership...That’s a failure to support your mega star in Jokic, your future hall of famer, your all-time great, your 3x MVP. That’s on ownership and it is on the front office as well.
"

- Kevin O'Connor via The Mismatch

They also went on to discuss possible future moves, including a potential addition of Russell Westbrook which KOC called a “complete disaster fit”. Needless to say, they are extremely down on the Nuggets. Their sentiment is fair and justified, and it’s in line with how many fans of the team must currently be feeling.

It’s a disappointing start to the offseason; as it appears that a title team is being torn down for the second straight season. Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon aren’t getting any younger, yet the team appears to be investing in a bit of a youth movement around. Hopefully, they know what they’re doing and we don’t look back on this offseason with regrets down the road.