How This Trade Impacts Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets wasted little time making some adjustments to their roster this offseason. They traded longtime rotation players Monte Morris and Will Barton to the Washington Wizards for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, improving their defensive versatility and 3-point shooting.
They made another stride in those areas, signing Bruce Brown in free agency. While both players are upgrades to the rotation, they fall short of the blockbuster-type move it was reported that they would explore upgrading around Nikola Jokic.
This deal with the Utah Jazz would certainly qualify as a blockbuster, adding Donovan Mitchell to the starting lineup. They would be bonafide contenders in the Western Conference with three explosive options offensively and enough high-end defenders to keep teams honest on that end of the court.
A lineup of Jamal Murray, Mitchell, Caldwell-Pope, Aaron Gordon and Jokic would be one of the strongest in the NBA as a versatile, two-way group.
LATEST NBA NEWS AND RUMORS: Knicks, Jazz Talk Donovan Mitchell Trade As Utah Nears Rebuild, Could Denver Nuggets Get Involved?
Patrick Beverley and Bruce Brown would anchor the second unit with Jeff Green and DeAndre Jordan. Veteran’s minimum deals would be waiting to fill the gaps for anyone looking to chase a ring.
The Nuggets are parting ways with the remaining draft capital that they have, basically committing to this group as being enough to get them over the hump. Good depth and the only young players on the roster are surrendered as there isn’t a single player on a rookie contract remaining.
LATEST NBA NEWS AND RUMORS: Knicks, Jazz Talk Donovan Mitchell Trade As Utah Nears Rebuild, Could Denver Nuggets Get Involved?
But, that is worth it for a Denver team that when healthy, was on the cusp of contending. They are now all in and a team that can make noise in the postseason with the firepower they would have.
