Odds Each Denver Nuggets’ Player Returns Next Season

Danilo Gallinari – Age 27 – Guaranteed $15.5 million

Danilo Gallinari began the season on par with his previous years with a low field goal percentage, yet continued to be successful offensively. He got to the free throw line more times than ever before, where he was able to showcase his 87 percent free throw stroke.

Eventually, he caught fire in the month of January, truly shouldering the offensive load and averaging 23.5 points per game on efficient percentages, which would have tied for eighth in the NBA over the length of the season.

Unfortunately, he sustained a second ankle injury and tore two ligaments, effectively removing him from the rest of the season. Many would have expected the Nuggets to struggle offensively without him, but overall the team fared better on both ends without him to close out the season.

This is more than likely growth from the younger players rather than Gallo being a negative player, but it stands to reason that the offense would operate better centered around Mudiay and Jokic. The Rooster averaged the eighth most isolation possessions in the entire NBA, and once those were removed the aforementioned players were forced to grow.

Is Gallo the best player on the Denver Nuggets? Currently, yes. He does have health concerns though, and he’s also the best trade chip the Nuggets could throw at an NBA contender that needs a third wheel. He has stated he wants to stay in Denver, but that he’s also thinking about championships, not just making the playoffs.

He’s more likely to stay than Faried because of his capabilities offensively, but if he wants to be “the guy” on most of the possessions, he may be shipped out – 75 percent.

Next: Garris