| An Off-Season Away From Being A Western Powerhouse? Authored by Ryan Bennett - June 22, 2005 - 11:45 pm
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The Nuggets are in a very interesting position this coming off-season. They were the team that none of the top seeds wanted to play in the first round. The Nuggets have 3 draft picks, 20, 22, and 52. The new CBA has been agreed on and the salary cap is expected to be set at around $50 million, an upgrade of $5 million from last year. Therefore Denver also is roughly $8 million under the cap.
At the end of the 2004/05 season, the Denver Nuggets squad was:
C- Marcus Camby
F- Kenyon Martin
F- Carmelo Anthony
G- Andre Miller
G- DeMarr Johnson
F- Nene
F- Eduardo Najera
F- Francisco Elson
F- Byron Russell
F- Mark Pope
G- Voshon Lenard
G- Earl Boykins
G- Wesley Person
G- Greg Buckner
G- Luis Flores
The Draft: Nuggets have picks 20 & 22 and the 52 pick
20: Some websites have the Nuggets promising to take small forward Ersan Ilyasova from Turkey as the 20th pick in the draft. He has a history of injury problems, specifically to his ankles, but the Nuggets potential in him. These sorts of picks do not seem like such a bad move now, with the changes to the Collective Bargaining Agreement. NBA teams are going to be able to shift players with 2 years experience or less down to the NBDL to be developed. (Sorry Darko, its come a little late for you.)
22: The 22nd pick is most likely going to be used on a big man. Firm favourite in my mind is Johan Petro. This guy has a huge upside. Many draft analysers out there believe that Petro has the ‘potential’ to be the next Mutumbo. With Camby as a mentor, that is a distinct possibility. (If Petro were unavailable, then Andrew Bynum would make sense).
52: The 52nd pick should be an easy choice, Jason Maxiell. A major draft site has Salim Stoudamire (who will be gone by that stage) going to the Nuggets at 52. Even if he is available, he doesn’t fill a need. He is a poor man’s Earl Boykins. In other words he is not required. Maxiell is the sleeper of this draft. He is a huge defensive presence and hustler for a smaller post player. Think Ben Wallace. Or at least, Kurt Rambis.
None of these draft picks address the three-point shooter that they desperately need? That problem will be addressed through free agency.
Free Agency:
The Nuggets can address their weakness at shooting guard through free agency. I see the four targets for the Nuggets as: Ray Allen, Larry Hughes, Michael Redd and Joe Johnson.
Lets look at each player, and how they may or may not fit the Nuggets.
Ray Allen: Allen seems to be the fan’s choice for a free agent signing; the problem is Allen won’t play in Denver for $8 million per year. And I can’t see Seattle going through with a sign and trade with Denver, their division rival. Allen also doesn’t bring that much defensively, and he seems more than likely gone to Dallas (you heard it here first).
Larry Hughes: Hughes has been mentioned as a perfect fit with the Nuggets. He plays defense, he doesn’t demand a starring role, and he might be available for $8 million. Well he lacks any short of 3-point shooting ability, something the Nuggets have said they need to gain this off-season.
Michael Redd: Redd will command around about $10 million per season from somewhere, most likely from Milwaukee or Cleveland. Redd is a fantastic scorer, but he often gives up as many point as he scores. Not a great fit, when the Nuggets have to stop the Western wingmen, by the likes of: Bryant, McGrady, Ginobili, Richardson, and Maggette. Just to name a few.
That brings us to our last prospect….
Joe Johnson: In this writer’s opinion, Joe Johnson has shown his worth this post season. The Suns sorely missed him when he went down to injury, and had no way of slowing down Parker or Ginobili without Joe. Joe can shoot from 3, plays great defense, doesn’t need to be the main option on offense, can play also play point guard, and can be had at the right price. The Nuggets should be able to secure his services by giving him everything they can. $8 million starting salary with a front heavy contract, including a big signing bonus etc. Even if a sign and trade needs to be worked out, make it happen!
The 2005/06 Denver Nuggets should look something like this:
C- Marcus Camby/Francisco Elson/Johan Petro
F- Kenyon Martin/Nene/Jason Maxiell
F- Carmelo Anthony/Eduardo Najera/Ersan Ilyasova
G- Andre Miller/Earl Boykins
G- Joe Johnson/Greg Buckner
Contact Ryan at: ryanwbennett@gmail.com |
