The Denver Nuggets are in cap space purgatory, but they may have enough to sign one or two impactful free agents.
The Denver Nuggets have never been known for making a huge splash in free agency. Whether it’s a reluctance to spend big money, the fact that Denver isn’t much of a free agent destination, or a combination of the two, they’re rarely in play for the guys who can make a world of difference as soon as they arrive. And while that trend is likely to continue in 2016, it isn’t a guarantee.
The Denver Post projected the Nuggets to have between $19.4 million and $24.1 million to work with depending on if they renounce the rights to D.J. Augustin and Mike Miller.
But that was on the assumption that the salary cap would rise to $92 million and as of Friday, we now know it will be $94 million. That means the Nuggets should have between $21.4 million and $26.1 million, which is plenty to sign a Tier 1 free agent to a max deal and is just enough for a Tier 2 free agent.
Vertical Sources: NBA has informed its teams that the projected salary cap will rise to $94M for 2016-'17 season. Higher than expected $92M.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 17, 2016
This doesn’t mean the Nuggets will or won’t sign players to a max deal, it just means they have the option. There’s just as good a chance they use the cap room they have to sign a couple lower level players to less lucrative deals.
This article will look at some high and low-price options as well as how each player would fit with next year’s Nuggets team. Let’s get to it.
Next: Curry