Andre Iguodala: How the All-Star Swingman Affects Denver Nuggets Rotation

Greg M. Cooper-US PRESSWIRE

The Dwight Howard trade is going to have major ramifications on a whole bunch of teams. The Denver Nuggets are certainly one of those squads after acquiring Andre Iguodala as they helped to facilitate the deal. 

Denver sent away Al Harrington and Arron Afflalo, along with a draft pick, for the ability to acquire the All-Star swingman. How will he affect their rotation?

The following positional breakdowns are based on Rotoworld's depth charts, but don't strictly adhere to them. 

Point Guard

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Starter: Ty Lawson

Primary Backup: Andre Miller

Other: Julyan Stone

 

The presence of Andre Iguodala isn't going to affect the point guard position at all because the Denver Nuggets still have two quality floor generals to throw out into the rotation. 

Ty Lawson developed into one of the NBA's best young players last season and should continue to make headway after his postseason performance against the Los Angeles Lakers. 

The speedy guard should get some consideration for an All-Star spot, especially now that he has a transition stud like Iggy at his disposal. 

Andre Miller remains the backup here, and he's one of the best second unit leaders in all of the NBA. 

The veteran is a great post-up point guard and one of the top distributors in basketball, even at age 36. 

Shooting Guard

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Starter: Andre Iguodala

Primary Backup: Evan Fournier

 

Andre Iguodala will immediately become the starting shooting guard for the Denver Nuggets and will become a great mentor for Evan Fournier. 

As good as the French rookie may be, he's not ready to start and this is the position at which Iggy fits best. 

He may be a true swingman, but with Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler already at that position, shooting guard makes the most sense for the former Philadelphia 76ers. 

Small Forward

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Starter: Danilo Gallinari

Primary Backup: Wilson Chandler

Others: Corey Brewer, Jordan Hamilton, Quincy Miller

 

Danilo Gallinari will serve as the starting small forward for the Denver Nuggets, even with Wilson Chandler now on the team at the start of the season. 

Chandler is a terrific backup option and should help form one of the league's top one-two punches at the position. 

As deep as the small forward rotation may be in Denver, Andre Iguodala could still help out here when the Nuggets decide to play small-ball. 

Power Forward

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Starter: Kenneth Faried

Primary Backup: Anthony Randolph

Other: Izzet Turkyilmaz

 

Without Al Harrington on the roster, the Denver Nuggets are going to turn the power forward position over to Kenneth Faried and let him remain the full-time starter. 

Faried will look even more impressive now that he's playing alongside a better offensive player in Andre Iguodala, and he'll form an incredible transition trio running alongside the new small forward and Ty Lawson. 

Anthony Randolph will be the primary backup, but unless he finally breaks out, he won't play much. The Nuggets might choose to either go with two centers when Faried needs a rest or play small-ball with Iguodala and Danilo Gallinari at the forward positions. 

Center

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Starter: JaVale McGee

Primary Backup: Timofey Mozgov

Other Option: Kosta Koufos

 

Now that the Denver Nuggets have committed to JaVale McGee, it's time for him to start focusing and playing like the dominant big man we all know he can be. 

If McGee struggles, Timofey Mozgov is waiting in the wings to take over, and Kosta Koufos is a nice third option. After Mozgov's Olympic performance in London, he might earn quite a bit of playing time. 

It wouldn't surprise me to see both McGee and Mozgov on the court during some sets.