Denver Nuggets Pre-Draft/ Early Off-Season Evaluations
Now that some of the sting from that first round sweep is wearing off Nuggets fans and front office executives can finally consider some off season moves. From all the flustration of the sweep the rumors started floating that the Nugs would actually trade Carmelo Anthony. Rumors came up about Billups and Richard Jefferson. Frankily, Melo is obviously the superior and younger player, so fans really should expect these to blow over. This might be the front office’s way to motivate Melo for next season.
The only way Melo gets traded is if the front office is unwilling to swallow their pride and admit the Melo-AI experiment didn’t work. I have nothing against AI for trying to come in and make it work, but Melo and AI just aren’t a good match.
The Nuggets need to focus on trading their veterans to retool to compete against the Lakers and a rising team like the Blazers in the coming years. Marcus Camby and Allen Iverson should clearly be on the trading block. Kenyon Martin had a decent year and some team might swallow his contract to add a strong front-court presence. Nene is an extremely talented player that hasn’t been out on the floor enough to really show what he can do. It certainly would be a shame to see him traded and then shine in another city, but at this point the Nuggets have to at least consider it.
George Karl does not have a good track record of playing rookies. Mario Chalmers is what a lot of draft boards are suggesting the Nuggets select. Chalmers is a talented guy that is benefiting from the NCAA championship and the lack of quality PGs in this draft. Chalmers is a late first rounder, so the Nuggets should not bite. With JR Smith a possibility to return the Nuggets should also look past Brandon Rush. Rush is another guy who is having really good workouts and is benefiting from the NCAA championship. Rush is around 23 and will turn 24 at the end of next season. Rush has only improved on his turnovers since joining the J-Hawks. Rush’s field goal shooting and three point shooting have declined since he was a freshman. If a scout was being honest about it, then he or she would know that while Rush’s team has improved he really hasn’t improved all that much since his freshman year. The Nuggets should look to take the best player available. Nicolas Batum is rumored to drop in the draft to the late teens or early 20s. If this 6′8 wing from France is on the board the Nuggets should snatch him up with their pick. He’s 3 to 4 years younger than Rush and has a much higher ceiling.
If Jermaine O’Neal and Jamal Tinsley are available the Nuggets should consider making a deal with the Pacers. Larry Bird will likely want to send the players out of the Eastern Conference so that plays in the Nugget’s favor. John Salmons is a wing in his prime the Nuggets should focus on this off season. They need to figure out what the Kings would want and try and make it happen. The Nuggets need a good wing defender. Salmon’s handle and decent jump shot help his cause as well.
Outside of those trades Michael Redd would be a nice pickup for the Nuggets. Redd would bring the shooting that gives Melo space to operate. Unlike AI, Redd does not need to pound the ball into the floor or go one on one to be effective.
Expect the Nuggets to make some serious moves this off season.
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