Offseason concerns about the Nuggets‘ shooting played out in an opening-night loss to Oklahoma City, writes Tony Jones of The Athletic. Denver shot 7-of-39 from beyond the arc and scored just 87 points as the Thunder pulled away in a battle of two of the West’s elite teams. Nikola Jokic admitted there are offensive issues that have to be worked out.
“We are not a good shooting team, I think, except probably (Michael Porter Jr.) and Jamal (Murray),” Jokic told reporters. “All of us are kind of streaky. Not streaky, you know, but just average shooters.”
OKC opted to throw frequent double teams at Jokic while daring players such as Christian Braun, Russell Westbrook and Peyton Watson to beat them from the outside, Jones adds. He notes that the Nuggets only got 16 points from their bench and often looked slower and less athletic than the Thunder.
Jones suggests that coach Michael Malone may need to consider breaking up his starting five and using Porter off the bench to provide a shooting threat for the second unit. However, Malone doesn’t sound ready to make drastic changes after one loss.
“The bottom line is that I have to figure out a way to get Julian (Strawther) going,” he said. “I have to figure out a way to get Dario Saric going. So you definitely have to take a lot of factors into account. I think the more our guys play together, the better off we will be.”
There’s more from the Northwest Division:
- Alex Caruso‘s impact on the Thunder‘s defense was evident in his first game, observes Anthony Slater of The Athletic. Even though he went scoreless in 19 minutes, Caruso repeatedly found ways to disrupt Denver’s offense. Coach Mark Daigneault said that during a walkthrough after the morning shootaround, Caruso was already his most knowledgeable player on how to attack the Nuggets. “He’s on the side and he’s calling out what we should be doing,” Daigneault said. “Contact switch. Rotate this way. His fingerprints are all over everything.”
- Chet Holmgren got bigger and stronger during the offseason, which should be helpful as he spends more time at center, Slater adds. Free agent addition Isaiah Hartenstein is out until at least December with a broken left hand and backups Jaylin Williams and Kenrich Williams are also currently sidelined. “I think it’s a testament to what he’s done with his body,” Daigneault said. “He just played minute for minute with Jokic, who is very physical, and didn’t flinch, almost got stronger … What he did minute for minute with Jokic is not to be taken lightly.”
- After looking tentative in his Timberwolves debut, Julius Randle was back in All-Star form Thursday night with 33 points, five rebounds and four assists in a win at Sacramento, per Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. It was only Randle’s second game since injuring his shoulder last winter, and that type of production shows why the Wolves were willing to part with Karl-Anthony Towns to acquire him from New York. “We told him this morning, don’t fit around us, we’re going to fit around you,” Anthony Edwards said. “He showed us today.”
This might be outrageous but Denver might miss the playoffs this year. That cap looks horrible and they really don’t have the depth they have 2-3 years ago, along with the bench. It sounds silly but winning the title at the wrong time was the worst thing for them due to them having to pay max money to MPJ and Murray. I highly doubt they would be resigning those two if they didn’t win the title. Might be a one year wonder right now.
Currently I have Denver in the playoffs but they aren’t better than OKC, DAL, MIN, LAL, PHX and GSW. Also, HOU, SAC, NOLA, MEM might be all better than them in terms of roster and talent.
Thoughts?
I hated theyre offseason. Saric cant defend anything and tricks you into thinking hes a shooter. KCP was a real shooter and better on ball defender then Braun, and weakens the bench moving forward. Russ is a fine second unit bench guy, but he also can so easily be baited into doing stupid stupid Russ things.
If Murry doesnt come around or especially if Joker gets hurt for any amount of time theyre cooked.
Agreed on everything that you said. They really did not improve their bench or defense. They might get play in but that’s about it.
raz, that is not far fetched. Anything can happen in the west. Going to be a dog fight and a bloodbath for sure. I wouldn’t be surprised by any team either making the playoffs or missing the playoffs.
Gary, I think Denver would line up perfectly for Lavine. They need more athleticism and scoring on the perimeter.
I wonder if Denver does Lavine and Craig (who is familiar with the system since he played there originally), for MPJ, Nnaji and a unprotected pick in 2028 1st rounder.
I think they’ll be fine, it’s one game and they still have one of the three or four best players in the game. Going forward I think the majority of the teams that win the title will be one year wonders. It was hard to repeat before and it’ll be even harder now.
You shouldn’t doubt it. MPJ’s contract was signed in 2021, coming off a season in which he barely played, and long before the 2023 championship. As for Murray, there isn’t a team in the league that wouldn’t have maxed him when DEN did, and the vast majority of teams would take him off DEN’s hands anytime they want to move him.
DEN is a tough spot payroll-wise, and I understand the desire to attribute it to a mistake(s) they’ve made. But other than the MPJ contract (which was a mistake at the time), everything they’ve done would have been done by GM auto-pilot. The league’s CBA is (and was intended to be) hostile to championship teams looking to maintain their roster going forward.
Trade Idea with the Nets:
NETS get: Michael Porter Jr and Chrisitian Braun
NUGGESTS get: Cameron Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith
Brooklyn has already indicated they don’t want to add any additional salary that might cause their cap to decrease for 2025-2026. If they made that proposed deal that you mentioned, they’d add MPJ’s salary and Braun would be a RFA soon.
Who are the young players better than Braun and MPJ that will be available in 2025-2026? The only person I can think of is Kuminga, who is also seeking $35M+. Why not invest in MPJ? He young’s, under contract for 3 years, and fits the Net’s age timeline.
Because MPJ cannot stop shooting 3’s and thinks he is 6’4 instead of 6’10. He doesn’t rebound enough for his god given height, he almost never passes the ball, and he is a below average defender. I think if Brooklyn wants to piss off $38-40 M a year until 2027, go for it. There’s better suitors that will be available. Trae Young, Lu Dort, Austin Reeves will be available in 2026. JJJ too but I don’t see him signing there. It all depends if they land Flagg next spring, then they could be a hot spot for FA. Claxton is the only guy they are committed long term for them.
DEN, for some time, has needed to trade MPJ and re-purpose his salary over multiple players. I think they’ve been trying to do it (at least since Booth has taken over). Probably can’t find a taker on terms that facilitated that. Maybe now, a year removed from the trohpy, and with Gordon’s extension done, there will be a renewed urgency. But it still won’t be an easy deal to get done. MPJ’s contract is not desirable, and DEN is not going to be looking to take back a long term contract of anything close to similar size.
MPJ has the look of a top 5 player, size, pretty shot, face media would market. He just doesn’t dominate, he lacks a handle to really take over and get his. The fact he rarely passes makes him predictable.
OKC was the #1 seed for a reason, they have gotten better and will continue while involving the new players. Can’t really knock Denver much for that, they will still be a playoff team and a tough out. Jamal Murray is like Giancarlo Stanton of NBA, he will miss time in the regular season but comes alive in the playoffs.