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Denver Nuggets: 2018-19 NBA season preview

By Luke Zahlmann

DENVER, CO - APRIL 5: The Denver Nuggets huddles up before the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 5, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - APRIL 5: The Denver Nuggets huddles up before the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 5, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Key additions: Michael Porter Jr. (draft), Jarred Vanderbilt (draft), Isaiah Thomas (free agency)

Key subtractions: Wilson Chandler (trade), Darrell Arthur (trade), Kenneth Faried (trade)

The Nuggets made several small moves this offseason, with a majority in the name of shaving cap casualties. Chandler, Arthur and Faried were all dealt in two separate deals, all in the name of ridding the Nuggets of older players that increased the luxury tax bill.

In the deals to move overpriced veterans, the Nuggets gave up a conditional first round pick, a second round pick in both 2020 and 2021 and swapped second round picks in the Chandler deal with the Philadelphia 76ers.

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Knowing their weaknesses, the Nuggets added a pair of forwards in Porter and Vanderbilt in the NBA Draft, along with a center in Thomas Welsh. The haul served to replace their departures in trades.

The only big free agency acquisition outside of re-signing their own free agents was Thomas, formerly of the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers (among others). Thomas is coming off of an injury-riddled season that resulted in the guard playing in only 32 games, averaging 15.2 points and 4.8 assists per game.

The Nuggets brought the guard in to run their second unit alongside Barton. Signed to a one-year, $2 million deal, Thomas represents a low-risk, high-reward acquisition that could pay dividends for the Nuggets’ reserves.

The losses at the forward spots leave the Nuggets to rely on Porter and Barton, with the former recovering from multiple back surgeries. They also have Juan Hernangomez and Trey Lyles that can operate at the 3 but are better suited to take advantage of slower power forwards.

Outside of small forward, the Nuggets have their starting lineup already set with Murray, Harris, Millsap and Jokic set to handle the offensive and defensive load.

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