Denver Nuggets: The Plan For The Future Becomes Clearer

ByChris Schmaedeke|

Jan 14, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler (21) during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 114-107. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Nuggets seemed to be a NBA franchise that was lost about two years ago.

After the firing of head coach George Karl and the inability to retain general manager Masai Ujiri, the Nuggets were in complete disarray. A team that won 57 games become a team that has landed in the lottery the last two seasons.

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This season may not be much better but one thing is for sure: general manager Tim Connelly has a plan for Denver and it is starting to take shape. The Nuggets may not be in the playoff hunt this season but in the future they should be right back in the mix.

The first step was actually a little bit about luck. Emmanuel Mudiay fell in the draft and Denver was able to scoop him up with the No. 7 pick. Several draft experts felt Mudiay was just as good as D’Angelo Russell, who went second overall, and that Mudiay may even be a better pure point guard.

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Mudiay is a building block for the Nuggets as a big, strong point guard that loves to make plays and get his teammates involved. He has already embraced the leadership role and is happy to be in Denver. He has even showed his love for the history of Nuggets as he showed up to a Summer League in a throwback Dikembe Mutombo jersey.

The Nuggets have their point guard, but Denver was such a mess they needed to do much more.

Connelly has decided to surround Mudiay with solid veterans who are also good in the locker room. Connelly locked up two guys with new extensions that fit that mold. Both Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler give the Nuggets some leadership and again, are two guys that want to be in Denver.

Gallinari has the skills to be a star in this league. He scored over 40 points in two games late last season. He has fought the knee problems for two years but seems to be completely healthy now. If Gallinari never hurts his knee, we may be having a different conversation right now. A healthy Gallinari may have pushed the Nuggets past the Golden State Warriors in the 2012-13 playoffs.

Chandler may be perfect for coach Mike Malone’s system and he may play three different positions for the Nuggets. He could see some time at shooting guard, small forward and power forward. He also has showed his support for Denver. He wants to be here and much like Gallinari, has shown his love through social media.

Also, re-signing Jameer Nelson was key for Mudiay’s development, since Nelson is a great locker room guy.

The biggest move of the offseason was trading Ty Lawson to the Houston Rockets. Lawson needed to go. He become toxic to the Nuggets with his off-court antics and Lawson didn’t need to be around Mudiay. Connelly seems like a genius for actually getting a first-round pick for Lawson after he got his second DUI in the last six months.

These four moves have the Nuggets moving in the right direction, but there is still work to do. Mudiay is 19 and has to develop. Gallinari has to be healthy. Second-year guard Gary Harris needs to shoot better and Kenneth Faried needs to be start playing some defense.

There are still questions surrounding the Nuggets, but Connelly and the front office have answered some things. In the brutally competitive Western Conference, the Nuggets have a long way to go but there is a vision now. The Nuggets need guys who actually want to be in Denver. Connelly just needs to stay the course.

Next: NBA Trade Grades: Nuggets Send Ty Lawson To Rockets

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