Nuggets' Offseason: A Step-by-Step Plan to Keep Denver in Playoff Contention

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DENVER, CO - MARCH 23: (L-R) Al Harrington #7, Raymond Felton #20, J.R. Smith #5, Nene #31 and Wilson Chandler #21 of the Denver Nuggets head back to the court after a time out against the San Antonio Spurs at the Pepsi Center on March 23, 2011 in Denver

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The Nuggets' offseason is, without question, the busiest and most important offseason in the NBA. Nene Hilario, Aaron Afflalo, JR Smith, Wilson Chandler, Kenyon Martin, and Gary Forbes, all key parts of Denver's roster, are all free agents. They can't keep all of them for financial reasons, but after drafting Kenneth Faried and Trading for Jordan Hamilton, they can surely salvage just as good as a team as last season (after the Melo Trade). But it's not going to be easy. Here's a step-step-plan to keep the Denver Nuggets at the same level:

Roster

DENVER, CO - APRIL 23: Head coach George Karl of the Denver Nuggets paces the sidelines against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Pepsi Center on April 23, 2011 in Denver, Colorado

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First off, here's Denver's full roster, to give you an idea of where they stand:

* = Rookie

Name Position Status

Andre Miller PG Under Contract

Ty Lawson PG Under Contract

Aaron Afflalo SG RFA (Restricted Free Agent)

JR Smith SG UFA (Unrestricted Free Agent)

Danilo Gallinari SF Under Contract

Wilson Chandler SF RFA

Gary Forbes SF RFA

Jordan Hamilton* SF Under Contract

Kenyon Martin PF UFA

Al Harrington PF Under Contract

Melvin Ely PF UFA

Kenneth Faried* PF Under Contract

Nene Hilario C UFA

Chris Andersen C Under Contract

Kosta Koufos C Under Contract

Chukwudierbe Maduabum* C Under Contract

Timofey Mozgov C Under Contract

Step 1: Resign Nene Hilario

DENVER, CO - APRIL 23: Nene #31 of the Denver Nuggets walks off the court following a 97-94 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Pepsi Center on April 23, 2011 in Denver, Colo

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Nene is the closest thing to a star the Nuggets have. He is also one of the oldest and most experienced players on their roster. They need to keep him to keep their roster complete.

Step 2: Resign Aaron Afflalo

DENVER, CO - APRIL 23: Arron Afflalo #6 of the Denver Nuggets lays up a shot over Serge Ibaka #9 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver,

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Aaron Afflalo is very young, but he's already one of the leaders of this Denver team. He's a great sharp shooter and play-maker, and the Nuggets need him in their lineup.

Step 3: Let JR Smith Walk, Replace Him

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 22: Marco Belinelli #8 of the New Orleans Hornets shoots the ball during the game against the San Antonio Spurs at the New Orleans Arena on January 22, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Hornets defeated the Spurs 96-72. NOTE

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JR Smith has been a fan favorite since he landed in Denver, so it will be tough to let him go. Still, it's best for the team to part ways with him. He's a great player when he's hot, but he's very streaky and inconsistent, and he demands too much money anyway. The Nuggets can get a more consistent player for less money.

There are some good options out there in free agency. Delonte West, Jeff Green, and Von Wafer, all playing for the Celtics last year, are viable options for the Nuggets as free agents. Other options are Deshawn Stevenson or Peja Stokjakovic from Dallas, Rasual Butler from Chicago, Shannon Brown from the LA Lakers, and Daequan Cook from Oklahoma City. But the best option out there in my opinion is Marco Bellineli from the New Orleans Hornets. He's a very good shooter, just as good as a hot JR Smith. He is restricted, but I think the Hornets will be too busy with Chris Paul and David West to worry about Bellineli.

Step 4: Let Kenyon Martin Walk

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 03: Kenyon Martin #4 of the Denver Nuggets during the game against Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on April 3, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or

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This is a move that many people expect the Nuggets to make. After drafting super-reboudner Kenneth Faried, there's not much of a reason to keep an aging Martin around. But, much like JR Smith, he will be tough to let go of because he's a fan favorite. Still, the Nuggets have to do this for financial reasons, and it will work out for the best.

Step 5: Let Wilson Chandler Walk, Resign Gary Forbes

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 5: Wilson Chandler #21 of the Denver Nuggets waits in the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 5, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloa

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Wilson Chandler is a good player, but not a necessity in the Nuggets lineup. Jordan Hamilton can replace him off the bench, or he can step into Gary Forbes' role of last year while Forbes moves up to bench. Either way, Chandler can be replaced and will not be missed much, since he was only around for half a season.

Step 6: Let Melvin Ely Walk

PHOENIX - OCTOBER 22: Melvin Ely #34 of the Denver Nuggets during the preseason NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on October 22, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and

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Melvin Ely was never an important part of the Nuggets. He was playing the role at PF that Forbes was playing at SF, but not as well. He can easily be replaced by rookie Chukwudierbe Maduabum. Denver will be just fine without him, and they could use the money.