July 1st 2024.
The start of NBA free agency was unexpectedly quiet for the Nuggets, and it seemed fitting. There are definitely going to be changes to the roster in Denver, but the first few hours of free agency did not bring any concrete additions. According to sources, Vlatko Cancar and DeAndre Jordan will likely return on one-year contracts, but there are still two roster spots to fill. The Nuggets have the option to use their $5.2 million mid-level exception to add another player, and they are also keeping an eye on the trade market, with rumors of interest in Russell Westbrook.
But the lack of roster moves on Sunday, between the start of free agent negotiations and the print deadlines of the local newspaper, left Denver with nothing to celebrate except for a recent loss. The departure of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who reportedly signed with the Orlando Magic for three years and $66 million, has left fans wondering what it means for the team. However, it's not as simple as just a reflection of the owner's willingness to spend money, nor does it set a precedent for the Nuggets to never be a top team in the league. In fact, they showed interest in trading for Paul George before the draft, which indicates a willingness to spend on top talent.
The Nuggets were briefly in talks with the Clippers for an extend-and-trade deal, but it's unclear how far those discussions went. Such a deal would have required giving up players like Michael Porter Jr. and Zeke Nnaji, as well as draft picks. This shows that the team is open to spending, but they also have to consider the financial impact and roster flexibility. General manager Calvin Booth made it clear that their priority is to win a championship, and they are not afraid to go into the second apron if it's worth it.
Losing Caldwell-Pope, despite having full Bird rights to exceed the salary cap, is a gamble on Christian Braun, who showed impressive defense in the second round of the playoffs. While he may not have the same elite screen navigation skills as KCP, he is bigger and has proven to be a formidable defender at a young age. The biggest question is his fit in the team's offense, as his fast and athletic style may not mesh well with the methodical play of the starting lineup. However, with Nikola Jokic's ability to reward good cutters, Braun could still find success.
One area where Braun will need to improve is his shooting, especially from the corners. While he has a respectable 42.9% from above the break, he will need to work on his shooting from the corners to provide effective floor-spacing for the team. He also has room to improve his midrange game, which could benefit from Jokic's skills in the dribble handoff. Despite these areas for improvement, Braun has the athleticism and early signs of shooting prowess to prove to the front office that he is worthy of their trust.
Until further notice, the Nuggets will have to give up their claim to having the best starting five in the league, but that doesn't mean they can't still compete for a championship. There are still moves to be made, and fans can sign up for the Nuggets Insider to stay updated on all the NBA analysis.
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