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Denver Nuggets: A Summer Full Of Options

By Kevin C Keller

Mar 30, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Gary Harris (14) passes the ball against Connecticut Huskies guard Shabazz Napier (13) during the first half in the finals of the east regional of the 2014 NCAA Mens Basketball Championship tournament at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Gary Harris (14) passes the ball against Connecticut Huskies guard Shabazz Napier (13) during the first half in the finals of the east regional of the 2014 NCAA Mens Basketball Championship tournament at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Denver Nuggets are currently sitting tight with the 11th pick in the draft and after bringing in Gary Harris from Michigan State and Missouri guard Jabari Brown for pre-draft workouts on Thursday, it appears they are seriously considering staying put and taking their man at No. 11.

However, there are some signs that general manager Tim Connelly has something up his sleeve. Right after Thursday’s draft workouts, the Denver Post reported that the Nuggets were making and taking calls for trades across the board.

“We’ve had a lot of conversations about a ton of different things — picks, trades, we’re pretty active right now,” Connelly told The Denver Post in Thursday’s piece. “I don’t think things will pick up until the next week or so, but after a relatively quiet trade deadline, I think we’ll see a more active buildup to the draft. I would imagine we’ll have a lot of trades.”

So, Nuggets nation, we’re really not going to know if Gary Harris is headed to Denver with the 11th pick in the 2014 NBA Draft until we see Adam Sliver walk across that stage and announce his name on Jun. 26. The Nuggets have so many options it’s going to be hard to even scout their pick this year. Plus, it’s not typical for the 11th pick in the draft to walk on and contribute to an (expected) playoff team.

Jun 27, 2013; Brooklyn, NY, USA; NBA commissioner David Stern (right) introduces deputy commissioner Adam Silver after the first round of the 2013 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 27, 2013; Brooklyn, NY, USA; NBA commissioner David Stern (right) introduces deputy commissioner Adam Silver after the first round of the 2013 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

So, it’s clear to see why Connelly is weighing all his options. However, this draft is talented enough for the Nuggets to improve without a trade, hopefully bringing in some defensive help with the 11th pick. Anyone following the team can see it would be easy for the Nuggets to use pieces to move up, to move back, or to move out of the draft completely. On top of the pick, they have a roster with a ton of movable pieces, two trade exceptions, and a fan base hoping for playoff success.

It’s good to have options, but wow do the Nuggets have a lot. Even if they stay in the draft at No. 11, do they draft the best available player or do they draft for need? Do they want to move back and get an extra first round pick, or do they go after a bigger piece like Kevin Love?

Even if they aren’t the first pick, I can already feel that draft timer ticking away. I’m sure Tim Connelly has that internal ticker going too. If they do move away from the 11th pick, the Denver Post reported that the Nuggets’ biggest target would be “a veteran or moving up in the draft.”

So, I’ll be watching my Twitter feed like a hawk waiting for that veteran or draft day trade. Options are good, and options keep us and the whole Nuggets organization and fan base, from Connelly to this Hoops Habit beat writer, on their toes.

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