Hoops Habit
Fansided

Denver Nuggets: 2016 Offseason Grades

By Gerald Bourguet

DENVER, CO - JUNE 29: Denver Nuggets introduce their top draft picks during an introductory news conference June 29, 2016 at Pepsi Center. Left to right Jamal Murray, Petr Cornelie, Juan Hernangomez and Malik Beasley. (Photo By John Leyba/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JUNE 29: Denver Nuggets introduce their top draft picks during an introductory news conference June 29, 2016 at Pepsi Center. Left to right Jamal Murray, Petr Cornelie, Juan Hernangomez and Malik Beasley. (Photo By John Leyba/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 8
Next
Denver Nuggets
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Jamal Murray (Kentucky) walks on stage after being selected as the number seven overall pick to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Overall

As expected, the Denver Nuggets were never real players for this summer’s marquee free agents, and the one big name that wound up being tied to the organization — Dwyane Wade — accepted an offer from the Chicago Bulls instead.

That being said, the Nuggets probably dodged an expensive bullet with Wade, they didn’t make any ill-fated trades for a superstar by surrendering too many assets, and they strengthened a young core by drafting a few promising rookies and re-signing a pair of pivotal veteran leaders.

While it was somewhat disappointing the Nuggets were unable to package one or more of their four draft picks to move up or put together a trade for a superstar, Denver also put its picks to good use and avoided accelerating their rebuild too soon.

The shooting guard spot and power forward/center positions are filled to the brim with young talent that will have to duke it out for minutes, making Malone’s job no easier in 2016-17. But that’s a good problem to have for a team in no rush to win games thanks to its green core of Jokic, Mudiay, Harris, Nurkic and now Murray.

With Cornelie and possibly Hernangomez staying overseas, the Nuggets won’t have a complete frontcourt logjam next season, and though that Harris-Murray-Beasley trio will battle for minutes, Denver will also welcome back a healthy Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari to strengthen the wing.

More hoops habit: New York Knicks: 2016 Offseason Grades

The Nuggets were largely absent from free agency, but for a team that didn’t really need anything other than positive locker room influences and continued internal development, Denver’s front office can hardly be faulted for the way the team’s summer went.

Grade: B

Home/Denver Nuggets