The $3.2 Million Question: Will Denver Nuggets Buy a Big Man by Jan. 7?

The Denver Nuggets have fallen from contention lately, winning only three of their last eight games. Much of the Nuggets' losing streak can be attributed to injuries to both of Denver’s biggest stars, Carmelo Anthony and, chiefly, Chauncey Billups.

Billups leads the Nuggets as the on-court general, directing teammates and forcing Denver to play the way he knows they can. Anthony is the scoring leader, at 30 point per, and was holding Denver afloat recently when Billups has missed games.

In the Nuggets’ last three contests, both were out, although the team scored 105 points the first two games and are remarkably 2-1. In the first game against Utah, the play was crisp while Nene had his chance to shine (22 pts, 6 steals) and Denver won 105-95. But in the second game of the back-to-back against Philadelphia, the Nuggets couldn’t hold a 10-point lead, likely due to not having their leader and lost the contest in the end.

Something even worse than just losing the game, though, was an ankle injury sustained by Chris Andersen, one of Denver’s three main big men. The Nuggets are thinner than a giraffe’s neck in the front court, and Birdman’s injury showed how susceptible Denver is to falling much further than their current third place in the West.

In tonight’s 122-121 win against the Warriors, Malik Allen had to come in to fill Andersen’s void. Allen was intelligently picked up in the offseason by the Nuggets’ front office, and while he was a solid backup with six points and five rebounds, if he had to play for an extended time Denver would be exploited almost every night.

Birdman gives intensity, the ability to block almost every shot, but even he isn’t the best answer all the time. Andersen is too slight to body up against Andrew Bynum, Emeka Okafor, and other big centers, meaning teams can score on him from the low post.

Then there was another scary moment tonight in this stretch of injuries for Denver, as Nuggets’ center Nene rolled an ankle after landing awkwardly attempting to grab a rebound in the fourth quarter. He sat on the bench with a shoe off as Nuggets’ trainer Jim Gillam evaluated his ankle before limping under the stands. But once back there, the center realized the ankle was just tweaked and he was able to finish the game for Denver.

If Nene had really done damage, it would spell much more serious trouble than Birdman’s recent absence. Nene is a physical presence under the hoop on defense and the Nuggets' best post threat on the offensive end.

Denver would be done without Nene; the same could be said about starting power forward Kenyon Martin.

Luckily for the Nuggets, they have a $3.2 million trade exception that they must use by this Thursday, Jan. 7. The front office must make another smart move and pick up a decent backup big man to sure up the Nuggets for the rest of 2010.

The real question is: What player is out there in free agency that Denver could benefit from?

Denver Post ’s Nuggets beat writer Benjamin Hochman suggested Andray Blatche , who’s averaging 9.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Not too shabby, but it would leave Birdman with less minutes, which Hochman thinks could be a poor idea.

I say, why not let Bird and another big split backup minutes with one or the other getting a majority one night and vice versa the next? That way, Birdman will have fresher legs come postseason time, and the backup will be ready to play in the case of an injury to Nene or K-Mart.

Even though the market is thin this time of year, there are other players out there besides Blatche that could benefit Denver as well.

Center Lorenzen Wright has decent size at 6’11”, 240 pounds and is a dependable rebounder, something Denver lacks. Wright’s conditioning has been questioned before though, and that could be a problem in the mile high city.

Jake Voskuhl is also 6’11” but weighs in at 245 pounds and is a pure energy player. On defense, Voskuhl is all over the court and would be a nice fit for the Nuggets. George Karl has been complaining about energy and playing hard earlier this season, and Voskuhl would fill that void for sure.

Another player that fits the “workhorse” role is Malik Rose. He is the smallest player on the list at 6’7” but is the heftiest at 255 pounds. Still, Rose would bring a greatly energetic approach to the NBA game and the Nuggets.

Possibly the best solution size-wise would be Melvin Ely, the 6’10”, 261-pound power forward that would make Johan Petro an easy drop. He averages 5.6 points and 3.3 rebounds over his career, but Ely also has attitude problems, meaning he could be more a problem than solution.

Then again, the best solution could be to do nothing at all, from a salary standpoint.

The Nuggets are already over the salary cap by more than $3 million already. But the front office and owner Stan Kroenke must realize that Denver’s chances to compete for a championship are coming to a close.

Starters Chauncey Billups and Kenyon Martin are aging and there are only three current Nuggets signed through 2013.

Denver should spend the money and sure up their front court for another run at a championship in 2010. If not, this Nuggets team will be vulnerable to one injury that will end all those hopes and dreams.

So, Mark Warkentien, Rex Chapman and Bret Bearup ; make the right choice and add another big man to the Nuggets roster before your $3.2 million exception floats out the window. You know George Karl wants one.

When it Rains it Pours, Injury Bugs

It's bad enough that the Nuggets were without Billups and Anthony, 47 points and 12 assists per game, and Birdman their energetic backup big man; but Denver saw many others hurt in Tuesday's win over Golden State.

Kenyon Martin banged knees which made some fans hold their breath, but walked it off and continued to play (as Nene did with luck).

Then, close to the end of the game, Ty Lawson rolled an ankle while running full speed at the hoop. His yell in agony was audible on TV and he limped out of the game. His status is unknown but losing Lawson would mean missing his quick pacing off the bench.

Both Billups and Anthony are expected back in Denver's next game as they welcome LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Tip-off is set for 8:30 PM MT.