| Mile High Mayhem: What To Expect From The Denver Nuggets |
|
|
| Written by Sean Stancill | |
| Saturday, 30 August 2008 | |
 PG Allen Iverson SG J.R. Smith SF Carmelo Anthony PF Kenyon Martin C Nene Bench: PG Anthony Carter SG Dahntay Jones SG Sonny Weems SG/SF Linas Kleiza PF Chris Andersen C Stephen Hunter Effects on re-signing SG J.R. Smith: 1. Linas Kleiza will soon be traded or no longer associated with the Denver Nuggets. 3 out of the 5 shooting guards on the Nuggets roster signed new deals this offseason, leaving Linas Kleiza and Allen Iverson the only two guards on the team with expiring contracts after this season. Sonny Weems, Allen Iverson, Dahntay Jones, Linas Kleiza, and J.R. Smith are the fearsome five Denver shooting guards. The chances the Nuggets resign both Kleiza and A.I. are non-existent, with the loaded free agent core coming up in 2009; Lamar Odom, Rasheed Wallace, Carlos Boozer, Shawn Marion, Richard Hamilton, and Kobe Bryant. Along with role players Paul Millsap, Kyle Korver, Jamario Moon, Jamal Crawford, Charlie Villanueva, Quentin Richardson and Brandon Bass joining them. Not to mention Josh Childress’s possible return from Greece. If Denver allows Iverson and Kleiza to walk, they will have more than $22 million open to entertain with. Bittersweet with the loss of Kleiza, but a consolation of prize of perhaps Mike Bibby will smooth things out. 2. The Nuggets will draft a........... With positions 2-3 locked for the next three years (J.R. Smith 3 years, Carmelo 4 years), the primary focus of the Nuggets front office will be to shop for a point guard, whether through the 2009 NBA Draft or through next year’s free agency. Initially, many thought that was the goal of this offseason, but after the Ty Lawson escapade, the plan was deemed a failure. Denver has 2 first round draft picks next season via the Bobcats and the annual team selection. Stephan Curry, Ty Lawson, Jeremy Pargo, Brandon Jennings, Ricky Rubio, Edgar Sosa, Levance Fields, Lester Hudson, Ronald Steele, and Darren Collison are the premier point guards that will be available in the draft, and all would be welcomed in Denver. Or perhaps the Nuggets will go another route and select a big man in the draft. Hasheem Thabeet, Blake Griffin, Al-Faroq Aminu, Tyler Hansbrough, Jarvis Varnado, BJ Mullens, Patrick Patterson, and Jordan Hill are the headliners in this category. However, only about 2 of the possible selections will most likely still be on the board when the Nuggets make their selection. The odds are heavily in favor of the ball-handlers. Or the Nuggets could easily take both positions. 3. The Center Position Because the Nuggets failed to sign an effective big man to replace Marcus Camby's departure they will suffer greatly inside. Nene Hilario will finally be placed on center stage and one more injury could mean the end of his tour. The Brazilian averaged 5.3 PPG, 5.4 RPG, and 0.8 BPG in 16 games for the Nuggets before missing 62 games due to a testicular tumor. If there is any indication of talent, Nene has career averages of 10.7 PPG, 6.3 RPG, and 1.2 SPG. Its safe to say that the no identity Nuggets developments will be an enjoyable bunch to watch in the future.         Set as favorite Bookmark Comments
(0)
|
Subscribe to this comment's feed
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
