Beat writer Mike Singer opens up the Nuggets Mailbag periodically throughout the season. Pose a Nuggets — or NBA — related question here.
I’m not sure that I want to congratulate the front office for trading to bring Aaron Gordon to the Nuggets as I’m still disappointed from their mistakes last year. The front office was not tied into the mindset of Jerami Grant so when he took equal money to have a featured role on a losing team, they had no plan B. Now they have given up a first round pick, Gary Harris and RJ Hampton just to get back to where they would have been if the front office had performed and signed Grant. Additionally, they had to bring Millsap back when they would have had the option to release him. Do you have any reasons why I should be thrilled?
— Shawn Thompson, Denver
Plenty. First of all, the Nuggets strongly believed Grant was returning. Do they deserve fault for, evidently, misreading the room? Yes. When Detroit offered $20 million/year to Grant, that number was widely panned as an overpay. The Nuggets were willing to match, but weren’t comfortable paying more than that, especially for a guy who waffled on being here.
In some ways, the Gordon trade was the opposite. The Nuggets did extensive background on Gordon and believed he was open, and even eager, for change. After being miscast in Orlando, in addition to playing with guys not nearly as talented as his new teammates, the Nuggets believe they can unlock the best version of him. Before he got to the NBA, Gordon was accustomed to winning. He won state championships in high school. His Arizona team went to the Elite Eight. But once he got to Orlando, those teams weren’t nearly as competitive as he was used to. In Denver, Gordon has all the reason to be motivated.
Finally, the biggest reason to be excited is the Nuggets took a real gamble. They traded valuable future pieces (R.J. Hampton, 2025 pick) for immediate help. It’s both an acknowledgment that they feel they can win it all this season and a sign they want to maximize the window built by Nikola Jokic’s special season.
Been thinking about the Nuggets rotation. Michael Malone usually takes Jamal Murray out for the last few minutes of the first quarter, and then plays him with that bench to start the second. What if he did that with Nikola Jokic instead? I feel like this subtle change might improve the team’s performance at both the end of the first and the start of the second.
— Tom John, Longmont
I sincerely appreciate fans who recognize rotational patterns. That’s fantastic.
Two things here. I think the primary reason Malone does this is because he wants to get both of his stars going. If you play through Jokic in the first quarter, then let him get a breather with Murray on the floor to start the second quarter, it allows Murray to be the primary scorer with the second unit. Also, playing Jokic the majority of the first quarter, instead of Murray, gives you the better chance of building an early lead.
The other thing is playing Jokic most of the first, then letting him rest before his second shift, gives the backup frontcourt (Paul Millsap, JaMychal Green) guys a chance to get a feel for the game. It’s hard enough to come off the bench. It’s even harder to play in three-minute increments.
Since all these trades with the Nuggets, does this somehow open up an opportunity for Bol Bol? If so how and how many minutes would he get?
— Korbin, Castle Rock
Unfortunately, as a result of Denver’s two trades, Bol is even further buried on the depth chart. The Nuggets sent out two guards and brought back two bigs. That doesn’t bode well for his development here.
Now all Malone has to do is pacify Millsap and Green, find minutes for three-time champion JaVale McGee, who hasn’t seen the floor in two games, develop promising rookie Zeke Nnaji and keep Bol engaged. I don’t envy his job.
The Magic were fixated on Hampton in the trade, but you wonder how hard Tim Connelly pushed to include either Bol or Nnaji, which would’ve kept the roster balanced. In auditing the Gordon trade, one portion is obvious. If the Nuggets were going to give up Hampton, then they were going to make the Magic take the final year of Gary Harris’ contract. Not only is Will Barton more valuable simply because he’s healthy, but his contract (player option this summer) could be an expiring deal, which is always coveted. Consider it an underrated aspect of the trade.
We all know, even before landing on Denver, that Facundo Campazzo’s 3-point shooting was not his best asset. And I think that he feels forced to be on a corner and to make those shoots. Why do you think Coach Malone asks him to take that 3-point position? I don’t understand why he doesn’t attempt more twos (even though most of his highlights come from those kind of moves, like the no-look pass to Zeke Nnaji). I would like to see more of Facu taking the ball to the rim and forcing the defense on him, instead of being isolated (both physically and mentally). I would like to know your thoughts on this.
— Leandro, Argentina
Another astute observation. Facu’s 3-point shooting has plummeted in March. He’s shooting just 23% on 2.7 attempts per game. One, defenses recognize his shooting limitations and aren’t worried about leaving him alone on the 3-point line. Two, Denver’s offense is predicated on working the ball around and taking the open shot. When the ball finds Facu in the corner, it’s a good shot for most NBA players. He should take it. Three, Campazzo seems as stubborn as Malone. He shot 38% from 3-point range in January and February. One weeks-long slump probably isn’t going to deter him from launching. And even if it did, there’s still probably an element where Campazzo feels like he needs to prove himself. I don’t mind him taking those shots when he’s open. It’s the only way he’s going to get himself back into rhythm.
Who do you think is best suited for the other starting guard spot: Monte Morris or Will Barton? I personally think Barton will be better off the bench.
— Panayiotis Michael, Nicosia
I think it should be Morris. The addition of Gordon means the Nuggets have four legitimate scoring options in their starting lineup, which makes them a defensive nightmare. Jamal Murray said it after the 76ers win. There really is no good answer for what opposing defenses should take away.
Morris is a traditional, pass-first guard who is sound with the ball and has an extremely high basketball IQ. The problem with Barton is he can score one-on-one, but when he forces a shot, it’s impossible not to wonder whether one of Jokic-Murray-Porter-Gordon could’ve gotten something better. Not to mention, if Barton played with the second unit, he’d probably have more touches anyway.
But this is where NBA politics matter. Barton has said publicly, on numerous occasions, he’s a starter. He’s also getting paid like one. Remember when $30 million Millsap started over Jerami Grant? Barton is accustomed to starting and Morris is accustomed to coming off the bench. If the Nuggets continue winning even when Morris returns, I’m skeptical the lineup changes.
What will happen once Michael Porter Jr. is eligible for an extension? Will the organization be ready to pay three max players? If not, does it mean that the window is open just for another two seasons?
— Djokovic, Belgrade
Novak, is that you? With Jokic as the centerpiece, I figured you were a Nuggets fan.
The Nuggets can reach an early extension with Porter beginning this offseason. Given his eye-popping shooting splits in March, including 53% 3-point shooting on over five attempts per game, there’s a good chance Denver’s headed toward max-salary territory with Porter. He’s still played in fewer than 100 regular-season games but has become a vital cog in Denver’s scorching offense.
Will the Nuggets treat Porter like they did Jamal Murray, when they reached a max deal before he entered his fourth season? The Nuggets still get another half season to evaluate him, including a second playoff run.
But it’s going to get pricey. The Nuggets are willing to pay the luxury tax bill for a title contender, according to ESPN.
And as for Gordon, whose deal expires at the same time as Porter’s rookie deal, there’s a belief he’d be willing to stay here long-term depending on how the next two seasons go.
Are you surprised that Aaron Gordon seems to have gelled this fast? How nuts is it that Denver has lost Jerami Grant, Gary Harris, Torrey Craig, Mason Plumlee, Malik Beasley and Juancho Hernangomez from last year’s opening day roster — and seen a Millsap decline — yet appear to be better than they were then then?
— @jokelley via Twitter
Frankly, I’m not really surprised. I’m more impressed that Gordon has played within himself and not tried to do too much on the offensive end. If he hasn’t already learned it, he’s going to find out how simple the game is when the offense revolves around a passing savant.
But your other point is interesting. The reason the Nuggets traded Malik Beasley and Juancho Hernangomez was because Denver’s rotation was too crowded to begin with. Grant felt the same way, which is why he left. Plumlee understood he was backing up the best center in the NBA, and when given the choice, opted for a bigger role. What the Gordon trade did is crystallize the depth chart. There are still question marks (see above for Morris-Barton debate), but the pecking order is clear on offense, and defensively, Gordon is their versatile chess piece. It’s a lot easier to pull in the same direction when the core pieces all know and accept their roles.
Why does Michael Malone rage timeout? Why does Malone have little trust in his second unit year after year? Why does Malone trust Paul Millsap, Barton and Facu so much? Why not develop Zeke Nnaji more or at least play him with Facu since they’ve shown chemistry? Do they win because of him or in spite?
— @snowblading via Twitter
What’s wrong with a good rage timeout? To be honest, I don’t mind them since I know exactly how to preface questions to him postgame.
Beat writer Mike Singer opens up the Nuggets Mailbag periodically throughout the season. Pose a Nuggets — or NBA — related question here.
