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The Denver Nuggets had a nice run in the 2020-21 NBA season that finished with the team grabbing the third seed in the Western Conference. However, Michael Malone's team struggled after Jamal Murray's knee injury and ultimately fell in the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Phoenix Suns, despite having NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.
Still, the Denver Nuggets should be considered one of the top teams for the upcoming 2021-22 NBA season, though Murray might not be back for the start of the campaign.
Assets the Denver Nuggets could use in unlikely trade scenarios during the 2021 NBA offseason
Throughout the 2021 NBA offseason, the Denver Nuggets front office must make some good adjustments to the lineup to try to bring back some of the talent they enjoyed during the 2020-21 NBA season.
Some player options will be facing the Denver Nuggets in the NBA offseason. Keeping a competitive roster will need some nice work from the team's president of basketball operations, Tim Connelly.
The Denver Nuggets' approach to the offseason could have several variables and it all starts with Murray's time to recover. There might be a chance for him to miss most of the 2021-22 NBA season, and that could mean an offseason to prepare for the 2022-23 campaign.
The team has depth on the frontcourt with Jokic, Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr., but the backcourt might need some reshaping due to Murray's injury. Whether Connelly would sacrifice some frontcourt depth to bring some guards alongside Facundo Campazzo and Monte Morris remains to be seen.
In this article, we will take a look at three assets that the Denver Nuggets could use if they decide to explore the trade market and possibly make an effort for a big name, as unlikely as that might be.
Without further ado, let us start.
#3 Aaron Gordon
Speaking of unlikely moves, Aaron Gordon would definitely represent a tremendous asset for the Denver Nuggets if they engage in any type of trade talk in the 2021 offseason.
Gordon will be on an expiring contract for the 2021-22 NBA season and if the front office wants to make some bold moves, including Gordon on a package, that could work.
Gordon arrived in Denver on the trade deadline (March 25th, 2021) from the Orlando Magic and the Denver Nuggets gave up two players (Gary Harris and R.J. Hampton) and a first-round pick for him.
In the early stages of his journey with the Denver Nuggets, Gordon and the team looked strong. After Jamal Murray's injury on April 12th, the team remained solid, even after a huge blow to their chances.
Gordon averaged 10 points and 4.7 rebounds per game (25 appearances) for the Denver Nuggets in the regular season. Then, he put up 11 points and five rebounds on 43/39/64 shooting splits in the NBA Playoffs.
#2 Will Barton
Will Barton is reportedly declining a $14.7 million player potion for the 2021-22 NBA season, but he could be back with the Denver Nuggets on a new deal.
Barton has been with the Nuggets since the middle of the 2014-15 NBA season and he's become an essential player in Michael Malone's rotation whenever he's been fit.
Given his importance to the team, it would not be a surprise to see him return to the Denver Nuggets. However, if the interest from some other teams is high enough, the Denver Nuggets could try a sign-and-trade. The Philadelphia 76ers could be on the lookout for Barton, a sign-and-trade could take him to Philly and leave something in return for Denver.
Last season, Barton averaged 12.7 points and four rebounds per game in the regular season with 42/38/78 shooting splits. In the 2021 NBA Playoffs, Barton played only three games after a hamstring injury kept him out of the first round, but he averaged 16 points per game with 44/33/100 shooting splits.
Also Read: Who is Jamal Murray’s Girlfriend, Harper Hempel?
#1 Michael Porter Jr.
Michael Porter Jr. is eligible for the Denver Nuggets to offer him a rookie-scale extension this offseason, but the organization might not be fully sold on it. Talent will never be a question around Porter, as he's shown that he is clearly the third-best player on the current Denver Nuggets roster and he is continuously evolving as an NBA player.
A back injury forced him to miss his rookie year, and he ultimately made his NBA debut in the 2019-20 season. Still, the sophomore is a great scorer and has a high level of efficiency with his shot. The injuries might be a concern, but the 23-year-old would surely attract any of the 29 other teams in the NBA.
The Denver Nuggets' financial situation isn't really the greatest. Home-grown talents Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray are well established as superstar and emerging star, respectively, and they're already under big contracts.
The reigning NBA MVP, Jokic, is set to receive a supermax extension in 2022, further enhancing the pressure on the team's finances.
That could leave the Denver Nuggets with no other option but to solve Porter's situation by entertaining trade talks that could bring a big package to the roster.
Whether they pull the trigger or not, the Denver Nuggets have a gem in Porter Jr. and he should be worth any risk they might imagine, whether it is injury or any other concern.
Porter averaged 19 points and 7.3 rebounds per game with 54/44/79 in 61 regular-season appearances for the Denver Nuggets. In the postseason, Porter put up 17.4 points per game while making 47% of his field goals, 39% of his threes and 81% from the free-throw line.
Also read: NBA Trade Rumors: Denver Nuggets to consider trading Michael Porter Jr. with 4 teams expected to register interest
Guess the Lakers players!
