2023-06-22 06:31:00
The Denver Nuggets are slowly coming down from their little cloud following winning their first NBA title this season. Paradoxically, now is where the hardest part begins. The last teams to achieve the double are among the best in history: the Golden State Warriors of Stephen Curry et Kevin Durant (2017, 2018), the Miami Heat of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade et Chris Bosh (2012, 2013), the Los Angeles Lakers of Shaquille O’Neal et Kobe Bryant (2000, 2001, 2002) and even before that the Chicago Bulls of Michael Jordan et Scottie Pippen (1996, 1997, 1998).
Can the franchise of Colorado register in this prestigious list and fight in this category? Its main competitors have already gone on the offensive: the Boston Celtics have just added Kristaps Porzingis and the Phoenix Suns put together a “super team” with Bradley Beal associated to Devin Booker et Kevin Durant.
Kristaps Porzingis in Boston, Marcus Smart in Memphis!
The Nuggets executives aren’t idle either. They seem well aware of the task ahead of them and have begun to bustle in the shadows. They had already picked up a future first-round draft pick (2024) during the finals and they redirected this pick to the Indiana Pacers to acquire two potentially underrated assets: the 29th and 32nd picks of the next draft. Denver sends the 40th in addition to the future first round.
It may seem trivial, and it will eventually be trivial. But drawing smart often allows the best teams to strengthen for “cheaper” since rookie contracts are capped. It’s almost an obligation for franchises that stay at the top for a long time. Christian Braun (21st choice in 2022) is proof of this: he was very valuable during these playoffs and even more so in the finals. There are moves to be made at the end of the first round and at the start of the second.
The Nuggets can also tie up those two picks and try to pick up a rotation player in exchange. This is another option. In any case, in two fairly simple transfers, they offered themselves flexibility. The sign of an organization that works well and which has probably not finished strengthening its workforce.
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