Jason Burgos
On Thursday night, the Denver Nuggets had a golden opportunity to push their series with the Minnesota Timberwolves to a Game 7 at home this weekend. Yet, despite the Wolves being with top star Anthony Edwards and key rotation players Donte DiVincenzo and Ayo Dosunmu, the Nuggets were decisively beaten by a score of 110-98.
This season, Denver earned the No. 3 seed in a deep Western Conference by being an offensive force that led the league with 122.1 points a night. However, it was not good enough to overcome a defense that was bottom-10 in the NBA and allowed Jaden McDaniels to look like a superstar in Game 6 as he dropped 32 points.
That is why the Nuggets must prioritize improving their defense and nastiness this offseason. With that in mind, let’s look at eight players Denver should target this summer.
Trade for Herb Jones & Yves Missi
The Nuggets have a pair of established stars in Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, and neither is going anywhere. So they don’t need to bring in big-time expensive scorers. They need to round out the roster with gritty defenders who can guard opposing stars that Murray and Jokic can’t.
That is why the Nuggets should pursue New Orleans Pelicans rotation players Herb Jones and Yves Missi. Both are legitimate difference makers on defense and can be had in a deal that sends either Aaron Gordon or Cameron Johnson to NOLA.
Trade for Jalen Suggs
Another potential target should be Orlando Magic veteran Jalen Suggs. If Orlando blows their series lead over the Detroit Pistons, changes to the roster are sure to come, so Suggs could be available.
Is the former lottery pick overpaid over the next four seasons? Yes, but he is an elite defender at the first point of attack on that side of the ball. Plus, he is also a rock-solid scorer and distributor. Suggs would be a great option to fix a major weakness for Denver next season.
Trade for Draymond Green
Is Draymond Green past his prime? Yes. Can he be a headache with his erratic behavior? Yes. But Denver doesn’t need prime Green physically. They could really use the high basketball IQ in that wild brain.
Green could be the captain on defense that the Nuggets badly need, and he brings another gifted passer on offense. So he can help Denver remain one of the best scoring teams in the league. The future Hall of Famer simply brings a nastiness and championship pedigree that could be the missing piece for a title run next season.
Draft Zuby Ejiofor & Dailyn Swain
Another option to bring more defense to next season’s roster would be via June’s NBA Draft. Denver has the 26th pick this year, and Texas forward Dailyn Swain should be on their radar. He has great size, is a gifted athlete, and a versatile defender on the perimeter. Something the Nuggets need.
Another option at pick 26, or early in Round 2 if the Nuggets make a trade for one of those picks, is St. John’s star, Zuby Ejiofor. The Big East player of the year has a nice offensive game, but he is a very good rebounder and high-level rim protector who could slot in well next to Jokic in the front court.
Sign Marcus Smart in free agency
As mentioned before, the Nuggets don’t necessarily need to add big-time stars. Just improve what is around Jokic and Murray. That is why Marcus Smart should be on their wish list if he opts out of the final year of his deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.
He has never been a star player but has always been a difference-maker wherever he has been, and showed it again in LA this season. He would be a good addition to the rotation that brings grit, defense, and a winning pedigree.
Andrew Wiggins
Assuming Andrew Wiggins opts into the final year ($30 million) in his contract with the Miami Heat, he should also be on Denver’s radar. He never reached the potential of being the No. 1 pick in 2014 and is exiting his prime, but the 31-year-old is still a valuable player in the league.
He remains a rock-solid defender on the perimeter and is a dangerous three-point shooter. Wiggins would not completely change the Nuggets’ fortunes next season, but as part of a couple of moves, he could be a key element in a championship puzzle.
