Before the Denver Nuggets wiped the floor with the Orlando Magic on a second night of a back-to-back last night (Michael Porter Jr. and Nikola Jokic were once again excellent) the two leading voices of the Nuggets addressed the NBA Trade Deadline.
Michael Malone spoke first. I asked him directly if he would reaffirm his belief in this version of the Nuggets, without any trades, could accomplish Denver’s goals this season.
“Obviously, [we are] far from being where we want to be, but guys throughout the season, different guys, have stepped up and shown what they’re capable of. Our greatest challenge, moving forward with four games to go prior to the break and coming out of the break, is trying to get healthy.”
Calvin Booth spoke second, sharing an extensive amount of information about the deadline and different conversations they’ve had, all but admitting the Nuggets were targeting backup bigs and centers like Jonas Valanciunas, Larry Nance Jr., and Chris Boucher.
“I think we’re going to need health as we’re constructed right now. Overall depth and depth at backup center were our questions.”
Booth continued.
“I think as long as Aaron [Gordon] stays healthy, we’ll be okay at the backup five, but it is a concern of mine.”
So, the Nuggets tried. They really did, swinging and missing on a number of targets that could have helped in a playoff series or two. It’s unfortunate, but this was the hand that the Nuggets have been dealt. They’re spending future assets to add young players to the roster, clear older veterans and their larger salaries, and focus on development of long term solutions.
That’s Calvin Booth’s plan, and as the Nuggets have learned at this deadline, there are drawbacks. Denver spent their draft picks judiciously over the last two seasons to try and build the best group that they can. Some moves have worked. Some moves have failed. That’s life in the NBA. No GM or organization ever goes 100% on great roster moves.
The more missteps there are, the wider a door to failure opens up. The Nuggets are flirting with that line, papered over by the amazing reality of having the best player in the world on your team.
So, how do the Nuggets proceed now that they know this is their group? I asked Christian Braun about what the players have thought of the deadline and how they’ve stayed together:
“Right now, that’s over. We have what we have, and we all know we can win with what we have. We’ve shown it, and we’re going to continue to show up and get better every day.”
The Nuggets are putting to the test exactly how much stock should be put into them winning a championship two seasons ago.
Of the rotation players that played a role on that 2023 championship team, five remain on this one: Jokic, Porter, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Braun. Six if you count DeAndre Jordan, who is suddenly looking at some playoff minutes. The others hoping to make an impact this season: Russell Westbrook, Peyton Watson, and Julian Strawther.
Is that good enough? Did the West pass the Nuggets by? Even skeptics look at every team in the Western Conference over than the Oklahoma City Thunder and must admit Denver has a chance versus all of them. Optimists throw OKC into that conversation as well due to the experience factor.
Time will tell if Denver has successfully threaded the needle, but one thing is for certain: this is the team. This group will either succeed or fail. There’s no salvation waiting outside of that locker room at Ball Arena.
