The Nuggets have recalled rookie center Bol Bol from the G League but they’re not burning any of the 45 days he’s allotted to spend in the NBA on his two-way contract, according to Mike Singer of the Denver Post.
Bol is expected to remain with the Nuggets for a couple of weeks but won’t practice or play before being sent back down to the Windy City Bulls. He’ll be listed as out due to “injury management” for his surgically repaired left foot, Singer adds. Bol has averaged 11.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG and 2.3 BPG in less than 17 MPG with Windy City.
We have more on the Nuggets:
- The league has instituted coach’s challenges this season but like many of the men who patrol the sidelines, Michael Malone likes to save his challenge for crunch time, Eric Spyropoulos of the team’s website notes. “As you see it kind of play out, most coaches like to keep it (the challenge) in their pocket for late game situations. The only time I can see using it early is if you’re trying to protect a great player (from foul trouble),” Malone said.
- The Nuggets have plenty of depth, which has created a pleasant dilemma for Malone on a game-by-game basis, Nick Kosmider of The Athletic points out. Mason Plumlee, Monte Morris and Jerami Grant have defined reserve roles but Torrey Craig, Juancho Hernangomez, Michael Porter Jr. and Malik Beasley have seen major fluctuations in playing time. “It’s not easy from a player or coach’s standpoint,” Plumlee said. “But I’ll say guys have handled it as well as any team I’ve been on.”
- Porter has appeared in 10 games, averaging 3.8 PPG in 9.0 MPG, and Malone hopes to expand his role, according to John Hollinger of The Athletic. “I have to find ways to play him this year,” Malone said. “This cannot be a wasted year for him.”
- Craig has lost playing time but he’s not creating any problems in the locker room, Singer relays in a separate story. “We all get along, we’re all happy for each other when each other have success,” he said. “I’m not one to sit here and pout when my teammates are doing good. If they’re doing good and we’re winning, I’m happy.”
- Jamal Murray will play for Team Canada next summer, Michael Grange of Sportsnet Canada reports. Canada will host an Olympic qualifying tournament in Victoria, B.C. in late June, and then head to Tokyo if the team snags one of the six remaining spots in the 12-team Olympic tournament.
Nuggets need to package up some young players for an upgrade on the wing. But there no one available…if only Beal hadn’t signed that extension. He’d be great.
Definitely agree about getting rid of some of the young depth for a upgrade. Beal would’ve been a really good fit.
Maybe Jrue Holiday, he’s not on a huge salary and can give you 20+ points and would be an amazing defender for them.
Maybe swap Holiday for Gary Harris, Beasley and Porter Jr.
Nuggets get Holiday who is a good leader, great defender and can score well. Pelicans go get even more young talent. The idea of a fully fit Zion and Porter together would be insane. Plus all those young guys.
I could see the Pelicans possibly not wanting all these young guys tho
If memory serves, Holiday is making $26M plus with the extension he signed a couple of years ago. That, plus the acquisition cost, would probably be a little pricey for Denver.
They need another reliable, clutch wing defender more than anything, which could be a problem at playoff time. The Western Conference is stacked with forwards that create matchup problems.
In terms of an actual big name, and obvious upgrade, the only guy who comes to mind that might be available would be Holiday. If New Orleans is still in the playoff hunt they probably don’t move him, but it wouldn’t be the worst idea to swap him out for some more young pieces to build around.
Some lesser impact, but still quality wings that could be options could be Jae Crowder, Andre Iguodala, and Marcus Morris. None are flashy names but I don’t know if any of those guys are significant upgrades over the Nuggets current roster to be worth their possible trade price. Iggy probably best fits the bill of clutch wing defender, but who knows how much he has left in the tank and how long it would take him to get back in game shape. Morris would probably be able to fill any hole that might be created through a trade since he can kind of play 3-5. Crowder would probably be the easier trade target given his relatively low cap hit (~$7.8m) and pending free agency, although he probably has the lowest ceiling of the three and really isn’t that significant of an upgrade over the Nuggets current wings.
Jerami Grant plays a similar role to the players you listed. Plays 3-5 is a good defender, can space the floor and all of that. Don’t think they need another one of these guys. I think Jrue Holiday would be a great addition.
That 26 mil extension in Holiday is a good amount of money but the Nuggets are paying Millsap 30 mil (expiring deal), Harris 18 mil and just agreed to pay Murray 33 mil.
Holiday is a former all star, former all defensive first team player who averages 21/8/5 plus he shoots over 35% from deep and is a good leader. He’s perfect for playing on ball and creating (Murray doesn’t create but Jokic does) or playing off the ball and cutting or spacing. On defence he’s easily the best defender they would have and can match up with any guard or wing in the league well.
I’d give up Harris (who has regressed), Beasley (last year of his deal), and Porter (coming back from huge injury) plus some second rounders for him.