Denver Nuggets: 2016-17 Season Outlook
2016-17 Roster
Darrell Arthur, PF
Will Barton, SF
Malik Beasley, SG
Wilson Chandler, SF
Kenneth Faried, PF
Danilo Gallinari, SF
Gary Harris, SG
Juancho Hernangomez, PF
Robbie Hummel, SF
Nikola Jokic, C
D.J. Kennedy, SF
Mike Miller, SG
Emmanuel Mudiay, PG
Jamal Murray, SG
Jameer Nelson, PG
Jusuf Nurkic, C
JaKarr Sampson, SG
Jarnell Stokes, PF
Axel Toupane, SG
Offseason Additions
Malik Beasley (19th overall draft pick, Florida State), Juancho Hernangomez (15th overall draft pick, Movistar Estudiantes {Spain}), Robbie Hummel (free agent, Emporio Armani Milano {Italy}), D.J. Kennedy (free agent, Yenisey Krasnoyarsk {Russia}), Jamal Murray (7th overall draft pick, Kentucky), Jarnell Stokes (free agency, D-League)
Offseason Subtractions
D.J. Augustin (free agency, Orlando Magic), Joffrey Lauvergne (trade, Oklahoma City Thunder)
Quick Thoughts
With the exception of a few new rookies and the departure of Joffrey Lauvergne, the Nuggets’ 2016-17 roster is nearly identical to last year’s team.
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The new arrivals do put head coach Michael Malone in a bit of a spot, however. Gary Harris made great strides on both ends of the floor last year unbeknownst to the outside world, but drafting a combo guard like Jamal Murray complicates the future of Denver’s backcourt.
Murray probably won’t challenge Harris for minutes as a rookie, especially since Harris is poised for a breakout season. But the addition of another rookie shooting guard — Malik Beasley — further crowds the 2-spot, and that’s not the only position that’s starting to feel a bit cramped.
Even with Lauvergne gone, the Nuggets frontcourt is packed with Kenneth Faried, Nikola Jokic, Jusuf Nurkic, Darrell Arthur and Juan Hernangomez — not to mention Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler, who will both be healthy again and can log time as small-ball 4s.
How Malone divvies up minutes between the Emmanuel Mudiay-Harris-Murray trio and manages to find time for everyone in the frontcourt remains to be seen, but one thing is for certain: These young Nuggets have plenty of young talent at almost every position.
Next: Storyline 1: Developing The Youth