Matt Moore here, the host of the daily Locked On Nuggets podcast, with your daily Locked On Nuggets newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Nuggets and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Three Nuggets Trade Rumor Myths
Dec 3, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) looks to pass the ball as Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson (8) and center Nikola Jokic (15) defend in the third quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing/Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
The Nuggets need help.
The roster is just short-handed despite some promising minutes from guys like Jalen Pickett and Julian Strawther in the win over the Hawks last Sunday.
Denver doesn’t have enough playoff-caliber players to make a real title run and when you have the best player in the world playing the best he ever has, maybe the best anyone ever has, you need to go for it.
Reports are already surfacing that the team is aggressively looking at trade options and finding out they don’t have the assets. But still, fans will talk about it. It’s in all our comments on our YouTube Live Shows.
1. Jamal Murray cannot be traded until this summer. No matter how frustrated Nuggets fans are with the temperamental former champ, Murray’s not going anywhere after signing his max extension this summer. Due to the contraints in the CBA, Murray cannot be traded during the following season after signing that extension.
He’s ineligible to be traded until next summer at the earliest. The Blue Arrow isn’t going anywhere. By this summer, hopefully, Nuggets fans feel differently about keeping Murray around after what he contributed in multiple playoff runs. (Aaron Gordon, by the way, is also ineligible to be dealt until next summer and he has a trade kicker.)
2. The Nuggets can’t trade for Jimmy Butler. This one comes from friend of the program Jake Coyne who noted on Twitter that because both the Heat and Nuggets are over the first apron, they cannot trade for Butler unless they were able to match salaries at 100% on both sides, which they cannot.
While fun in theory - Jimmy Butler will not be going to Denver this season.
Unless Miami dumps salary, both they and Denver can take back no more than 100% in outgoing salary via trade.
This is one of the new wrinkles in the CBA that will prevent trades like this. https://t.co/aJItkGEV8I
3. MPJ’s Trade Value Isn’t Simple. MPJ has been more available than you would have thought possible after three back surgeries. He’s been healthy, consistent, and available. Porter has been the Nugget’s 2nd-best offensive player this season.
But any deal involving Porter would require a physical after the trade. For Denver, that physical could mean agreeing to a trade, shocking the roster, and then having it rescinded by the other team if they don’t like what they find in examining MPJ’s medicals and going “nevermind.”
That would devastate the locker room and could impact Porter’s mindset. Porter’s shown a lot of maturity dealing with what he has the last three years. But despite Denver’s utter confidence in the longterm health and availability of Porter as proven by the contracts they’ve given him, it’s a risk that makes it difficult to move him despite him being the player with the most on-court trade value right now.
Denver will keep looking for moves, especially those that would get Zeke Nnaji’s deal off the books. But you can adjust your expectations based on the above information.
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) waves to the crowd after making a three point shot in against the New York Knicks in the fourth quarter during game five in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. | Wendell Cruz/Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
A strange development of last night’s first round of quarter finals matchups is that I wasn’t anticipating having my heart break for the Orlando Magic. What an effort by a team that has been told over and over again that they are both down and out, and still refuses to acknowledge the veracity of either point.
Orlando’s game against Milwaukee felt contentious, engaged, and energetic, a game with stakes. The NBA Cup has been drawing out competition across the board but I have to give the Magic credit for showing up on the stage the tournament set. That was all them, and all heart.
But enough gushing (for now), onto tonight’s final two games.
Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks
There are a handful of athletes in the NBA, anywhere really, comfortable with playing the villain. Trae Young is one of them. Young has leaned into every opportunity to add fuel to the fire of Knicks’ fans disdain for the showy shooter, a grudge going strong since the 2021 playoffs.
It’ll be tougher for Young to take a bow against this Knicks team.
Though they were slower to get on the same page, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns have synced up as maybe the best and most overpowering offensive duo in the league. The Knicks are first overall in points scored per 100 possessions since the start of this season, and second overall in their effective field goal percentage. In their efficiency differential — points per 100 possessions minus points allowed — they trail only the heavy hitters of the season: OKC, Boston, Cleveland and Memphis. Things are clicking in New York.
The Hawks have had a string of injuries, notably Jalen Johnson and Bogdan Bogdanovic/ De’Andre Hunter and Young himself are both listed as probable for the game in New York. The silver lining, beyond whatever happens inside Young’s brain when he gets within the municipality limits for New York City, is that the Hawks have a 5-1 record against the Cavs, Celtics, Knicks and Bucks this season — this team loves to play up. They’ve also taken a defensive jump, are 6th in the league for offensive rebounds thanks to Johnson, rookie Zaccharie Risacher has been a boon, and Atlanta doesn’t mind playing the pest.
Whether this will be the kind of number found on Broadway or off, it’ll be a show.
Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets
What the Rockets aren’t generous about is their defence — the team is one of the most smothering defenders in the league. What they are generous about have been their fines, with head coach Ime Udoa and guard Fred VanVleet ponying up (you’ll be happy to know all fines go to charity). Houston will need all of its efforts in the former to beat the Warriors tonight.
Where the Rockets can’t do much defensively has been way out in the offensive no man’s land of the floor, the place where Steph Curry thrives. The Warriors have a 15 game winning streak going against Houston, largely because of Curry, in general, and lately because of where he capitalizes his efforts against a young team he can easily disorganize with his disruptive shooting.
Houston’s opportunities come in second chance points when they blitz the glass, in pressuring turnovers, and in playing very close basketball. The Rockets are one of the worst shooting teams in the NBA and yet, they’ve made it work, digging in to make every possession matter. The Warriors are in a slump, but the duo of Curry and Draymond Green can make light work of any team when they’re on the floor, Jonathan Kuminga continues to climb, and head coach Steve Kerr’s said that Andrew Wiggins should see minutes tonight.
Udoka called the Rockets last game against the Warriors, when they were thoroughly pummelled, one of the team’s “softest games” since his arrival, so there’s plenty of incentive for Houston to take the win tonight. Those are also the kinds of games, and hopes, that Steph Curry loves to snuff out like a candle.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Celebrate Here’s why Jared McCain is using his platform to highlight women’s sports. (Inquirer)
Analysis Trae Young has beef with the Knicks — this is why. (Sporting News)
Analysis Nikola Jokić emphasized the positive impact of Russell Westbrook on the court, praising his energy and leadership. (Sports Illustrated)
Must Read Meanwhile, a former All-Star had some harsh words for Jokic, saying he’s “putting up empty stats.” (Sports Illustrated)
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Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Takeaways From Tuesday’s NBA Cup Games
Dec 10, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots over Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) and center Dereck Lively II (2) during the first quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams/Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
NBA Cup Quarterfinals: Winners, Losers, and Fantasy Takeaways
Two of the four NBA Cup quarterfinal games are in the books, and it’s time to dissect the outcomes and what it means for fantasy managers.
One of the most pressing issues is the status of Immanuel Quickley. Despite the frustration surrounding his limited playtime due to injury, I firmly believe in his potential as a top 50 player this season. However, if you’re struggling with multiple injuries on your roster, it might be time to reconsider holding onto him. Evaluate your roster carefully and weigh Quickley’s potential against the immediate needs of your team.
Scottie Barnes’ situation is equally concerning. Although initial X-rays were negative, the possibility of a Lisfranc injury looms large. If confirmed, this could sideline Barnes for a significant portion of the season. Fantasy managers should brace for his absence and explore alternative options to fill the void.
Waiver Wire Trends and Player Evaluations
The waiver wire has been buzzing with activity, and several players have emerged as hot commodities. Kelly Olynyk’s rise in popularity is likely a response to Barnes’ injury, but his role remains uncertain. While Olynyk is a solid fantasy option, his long-term value is questionable given his defensive limitations and the presence of younger, more versatile players.
Cole Anthony’s recent performance has sparked debate among fantasy managers. Despite a lackluster shooting night, the decision to add him was sound, given the Magic’s need for shot generation. It’s crucial to focus on the process rather than the immediate results when evaluating players like Anthony. His role may fluctuate, but the potential for future contributions remains.
Click the button below to get a full breakdown on who fantasy managers should keep an eye on after last night’s games.
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