I’ll preface by asking for forgiveness, since I’m a convert from NFL backseat GMing and I’m probably about to expose myself for knowing absolutely nothing about NBA roster-building. But for as dire as things seem for the Nuggets right now, I’m not totally opposed to the moves.
This article from the Ringer published after our playoff elimination seemed to do a pretty good job summing up our 2023-24 difficulties: we’ve failed to fully develop our last several years of draft talent, arguably through a lack of meaningful playing time, and put extra pressure on our starters and veteran backups to compensate. These Booth moves seem to indicate a desire to reverse course on that trend, especially as we butt up against the budget for veteran free agents. We made an aggressive move to obtain a young player who should be able to contribute to scoring, we shipped off a reliable vet backup, and we look poised to lose another vet and member of our championship starting roster in KCP. Booth is telling Malone that we’re playing your young guys whether he wants to or not.
Truthfully, as long as Malone acquiesces, I think this roster can avoid serious deterioration. Braun should probably earn a starting roster spot this year and do a reasonably good job replacing KCP’s defensive production. They probably expect Daron Holmes to fill in for Reggie as a rotational offensive piece, and I sort of expect that they’ll use whatever money is left over from not retaining KCP to bring in some more reliable depth pieces.
It certainly hasn’t been a pretty offseason, and the Reggie + picks trade still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. But it doesn’t feel like we’re cleaning house, so much as betting on the idea that we still have all the pieces we need to stay competitive at the highest level. Curious for thoughts from other people who probably/definitely have more knowledge on this topic than me.
by Ajathag
9 Comments
While I defend Booth’s draft picks, they haven’t materialized into a good 2nd unit yet. Granted, they are quite young still.
My problems with his drafting, and to a certain extent the roster management as a whole, is that he telegraphs his true thoughts a bit too much, which may have cost us on the margins. An example of this is the trade up to 22 for Holmes.
I give Booth credit for not falling victim to past production and recognizing that an aging and mostly ineffective Reggie Jackson, with his accompanying $5.2m salary, probably isn’t worth the cost. A lot has been made of the price to dump him, but realistically, that was probably the best deal on the market.
I think this free agency period is a crucial juncture for his tenure. He explicitly stated Holmes is NOT the backup 5, which hopefully indicates the team plans on finding that elusive backup 5 in free agency.
If we lose KCP and add no one substantial, Booths decisions were indefensible this offseason
The process is bad. Refusing to target young vets and instead targeting old rookies.
Booth had a great start to his tenure but has since had a lot of mishaps. Since Denver isn’t a free agent destination, the margin for error is much lower.
If Booth’s answer to losing KCP is having Braun step into his spot and banking on the young’s guys developing, this will have been a disastrous offseason for him
So I kind of believe in Booth’s plan but the expectations are feeling unrealistic.
In 2 years, the core will be at that 28-31 range. For the young guys:
– Braun will be 25
– Watson will be 24
– Strawther will be 23
– Pickett will be 26
– Hunter will be 26
– Holmes will be 23
That’s great and has good potential to do some serious damage…in 2 years. I just worry that there’s too much expectation of these guys producing right away building up. And if they don’t produce they might get prematurely axed. This plan requires patience and time. If you want to buy time and continue to compete then you need vets to slot over these guys.
None of these dudes are starters yet and they won’t become starters by forcing them into roles that are too big for them.
“I sort of expect that they’ll use whatever money is left over from not retaining KCP to bring in some more reliable depth pieces.”
Thats not how the NBA works. KCP leaving gives us the ability to sign one player to a contract worth 5.2m dollars. Thats it. Its either KCP and No flexiblity, or no KCP, a 5.2m dollar replacement, and a miniscule amount of flexibility. I know which one I would choose!
I don’t think it can be overstated how much of a factor the playstyle of our backup PG – maybe even with the encouragement of Malone – stunted the growth of the younger players.
Braun and Watson – go stand in the corners
Third guy – Go stand on the baseline just outside the paint on the strong side
Big guy – come set a pick for Reggie Jackson or Murray as the stagger
Reggie or Murray takes 2 dribbles past the pick and jacks it up.
Nobody – in position to rebound or get a pass or a shot.
“Hmmmm our Bench sucks look at their stats!!!”
Consider me done defending Cal after yesterday’s Reggie salary dump.
Don’t shortsell the Vlatko injury. Dude was on pace to be a contributor. And insurance for that 4 position that suffered relying solely on Zeke. Lineups with AG at the 5 and VK at the 4 would’ve been highly intriguing…