Denver Nuggets Keep Core Group Intact

After a trip to the Western Conference Finala for the first time in many years, the Nuggets didn't do too much during the offseason. They went to the trade market to get Ty Lawson, Arron Afflalo, and Malik Allen, while re-signing Chris Anderson to upgrade their bench. They keep all the rotation players from last season, although they did lose Dahntay Jones via free agent.   

There are 11 players who have fully guaranteed contracts, and they need to sign two to four players to reach the league minimum of the roster numbers (12 actives and one inactive, teams may have a maximum of three players in the inactive list, so the total number can reach 15).

They may want to sign an additional point guard and true big man, as the depth of those two positions is not enough if someone gets hurt in mid-season (K-Mart and/or Chauncey Billups). The options they have for now is the bi-annual exception, which they can sign one or more players at a little less than $2 million total this season, or re-sign the free agents from the own team. They can also use the MLE, but it's unlikely as it will cost them too much in terms of luxury tax.

Like the Magic, the Nuggets' have one of the most complete rosters in the league. At this point, all they need to do is re-sign all three players who played for them last season. Anthony Carter and Jason Hart can provide depth and experience at both guard positions. Linas Kleiza and Johan Petro can provide skills and youth at big man positions.

If they want to use the MLE and/or bi-annual exception, their options include Mikki Moore and/or Bruce Bowen. Both of them can play D and provide great experience in crunch time down the road.

If there is no major injury, I fully expect the Nuggets will go deep in the playoff this season, but instead of the Nuggets winning 4-1 against the Mavs like last season, the Mavs will beat them 4-1 to reach the conference finals this time.