The Nuggets need to decide what kind of team they really want to be
Feb 8, 2022, 6:40 AM
The NBA trade deadline is later this week. It’s time for the Nuggets to decide what this season is all about. Do they consider themselves contenders or are they going to give themselves a pass because of the injuries to Jamal Murray and Michael Porter, Jr.?
If they think of themselves as contenders then they can’t just rely on the (likely) return of Murray and the (less likely) MPJ comeback. They must go out and add.
What do they need? A defensive-minded backup center. It goes without saying Nikola Jokic is carrying a massive burden for this team. Demarcus Cousins just isn’t the force he used to be to put up with his temper tantrums. He just isn’t reliable enough. After this current 10-day contract expires, send him on his way and try and swing a deal for a veteran big man who comes with less headaches.
A name I like is Nerlens Noel. He’s a no nonsense defender who knows his role and plays it well. He’s hard working and would fit in with this Nuggets’ blue-collar approach.
Next up is another wing player who can play defense and score. Someone like… Jerami Grant. Gee, why can’t we get players like that? I still don’t understand why the Nuggets dragged their feet when it came to re-signing Grant. He “only” signed with Detroit for three years and $60 million. That’s relative chump change when it comes to the NBA.
Honestly, would you rather have Grant at three years, $60 million or Aaron Gordon at four years, $92 million? I think Grant is the better player. That said, with only a full year left on Grant’s deal, this is a trade the Nuggets might be able to pull off. Then you can have Grant and Gordon? Not bad.
Let’s be honest. These moves would only improve the Nuggets to a point. Unless Murray comes back and is 100 percent by the playoffs, there’s a ceiling the Nuggets are going to ram into and it’s probably a second-round exit.
But that’s okay. Fair-minded Nugget fans and media would understand that losing two max players like Murray and MPJ for the bulk of the season effectively kills any realistic championship aspirations.
What’s not okay is basically waving the white flag and punting on a season during Jokic’s prime. We are witnessing something incredibly special in Jokic. The Nuggets need to show him the respect he deserves by giving him and his teammates every chance possible to go as far as possible.
Standing pat at the trade deadline, hoping Murray and MPJ ride to the rescue, would be foolish, short-sighted and frankly, an insult to Jokic. I think highly enough of Tim Connelly and Michael Malone that they won’t make that mistake.
