Denver Nuggets: How They Can Become a Western Conference Powerhouse

The Denver Nuggets are a team with three options this season; the Nuggets can maintain the present state of the club, add new faces in an attempt to create a legitimate run in the playoffs or have a fire sale and blow the team up.

If the roster remains the same the Nuggets have enough talent and depth to make it to the playoffs but would not be considered a real contender.

If management decides that the team should be blown up, the Nuggets are sure to get some talent and draft picks for many of their young veterans.

However, if the front office decides to spend some money and get some quality players, the Nuggets will have a legitimate shot of not only making the playoffs but also making some serious noise. Thus, because the Nuggets have a loyal fan base, young nucleus and an aging coach who deserves one or two last runs at a championship, they should invest in some of the talent available.

Assuming that the Nuggets re-sign Nene Hilario, Wilson Chandler and Arron Afflalo they will have the assets and cap space to make a run at a top player or at least a few good players.

The Nuggets have a ton of options to upgrade their roster via free agency, including:

1)      DeAndre Jordan: Jordan is a 22-year-old who is still developing but has improved every year in the league. He possesses through-the-roof athleticism and potential. If the Nuggets can get Jordan, Nene can be moved to the power forward position to form a fearsome frontcourt duo.

2)      Shane Battier: Battier has been a top defender in the NBA throughout his career, can play the 1 through 4 positions and has a deadly three-point shot. Battier’s addition would mean that the Nuggets have to move Danilo Gallinari to the 4; therefore, the Nuggets would play with a smaller lineup that can spread the floor on the offensive end. Then Battier and Afflalo would form one of the best defensive wing combinations in the NBA.

3)      Thaddeus Young: Young is tough, aggressive and young. Young and Gallinari would alternate between the 3 and 4 spots. With further development from both players, the Nuggets would have two of the top forwards in the league.

4)      Reggie Evans: A familiar face that would bring much needed help on the boards. By starting Evans, he can help Nene grab some rebounds. With Kenneth Faried coming in to replace Evans, the Nuggets have the potential to be one of the top rebounding teams.  

5)      Troy Murphy: Murphy had an injury plagued season that did not allow him to perform to his abilities. However, Murphy can rebound, shoot from anywhere on the floor and play multiple positions. Murphy would stretch the floor and allow Ty Lawson to penetrate in the lane. Nene would also benefit from a few easy buckets a game.

Other Options Include: Jeff Green, Delonte West, Brian Scalabrine, Peja Stojakovic, Mike Dunleavy, Jeff Foster, Jonas Jerebko, Rodney Stuckey, Tayshaun Prince, Reggie Williams, Josh McRoberts, Shannon Brown, Marc Gasol, Michael Redd, Kris Humphries, Sasha Vujacic, Marco Belinelli, Carl Landry, Shawne Williams, Jason Richardson, Jason Kapono, Marcus Thornton, Samuel Dalembert, Earl Watson, Nick Young and Josh Howard.

The Nuggets also have a plethora of in-season trade options, including:

1)      Dwight Howard: Believe it or not, although the Nuggets have not been mentioned as a possible destination for Howard, they would be an ideal fit. However, if this is to be made possible, the Nuggets must start campaigning for Howard right now. The only way Howard would play in Denver is if he is made aware the team is interested in him.

2)      Anthony Randolph: Randolph is a very raw young player with limitless potential. If the Nuggets can trade for Randolph, then he, Nene and Gallinari can form one of the more complete and exciting frontcourts in the NBA.

3)      Michael Beasley: Beasley is a great scorer and rebounder. Adding Beasley to the mix would likely push Gallinari to the 4 where he and Beasley can spread the floor and allow Lawson to penetrate,

4)      Taj Gibson: Gibson is an amazing rebounder and defender who can help the Nuggets get to the next level immediately. With Gibson manning the 4, the Nuggets have the potential to be among the top teams in rebounding and blocked shots. Further, Gibson would be a slightly cheaper addition in terms of the talent and/or draft picks the Nuggets would trade.

5)      Andrea Bargnani: Bargnani has been playing out of position his entire career, and because of this, he has not produced the numbers he is capable of. If the Nuggets are able to obtain Bargnani, he would put the Nuggets among the elite teams. A frontcourt of Gallinari, Bargnani and Nene would change how baskeball is played through the NBA.

Other options include: Javale McGee, Leandro Barbosa, Jason Thompson, Gerald Wallace, Nicolas Batum, Robin Lopez, Ryan Anderson, Landry Fields, Kevin Love, Carlos Delfino, O.J. Mayo, Chris Kaman, Eric Gordon, Louis Admundson, Ramon Sessions, Antawn Jamison, Omer Asik, Kirk Hinrich, Josh Smith, Corey Brewer, Austin Daye, Dorell Wright, Hasheem Thabeet, Tyler Hansbrough, Lamar Odom, Martell Webster, Gary Neal, Luol Deng, Ekpe Udoh, Paul George, Lance Stephenson, Wesley Johnson, Trevor Ariza, Andre Iguodala, Ed Davis, Rudy Gay, Channing Frye, Andray Blatche and Joakim Noah.

If Josh Kroenke and Masai Ujiri are able to make a few signings and a trade or two at the deadline, the Nuggets can head into this year’s playoffs stronger than in the Carmelo era.