The Denver Nuggets were one of the best feel-good stories last year in the NBA. After missing the playoffs by one game in the previous season, they exploded to an improved record which notched them the second seed in the Western Conference. However, the whole NBA landscape is going to be different come next year. The West is going to be a battlefield with both teams in Los Angeles being contenders and teams like the Utah Jazz making solid moves. The Nuggets have made a couple of quiet moves which will keep them in contention next year, even with the stacked Western Conference.
Denver Nuggets: Subtle Moves Made to Build for Next Season
Denver Nuggets Draft Bol Bol
The Denver Nuggets did not own any draft picks this summer. This did not stop the President of Basketball Operations, Tim Connelly, from making a splash. Bol Bol, the promising Oregon prospect, son of NBA legend Manute Bol, slid down to the second round. He was eventually drafted by the Miami Heat. Connelly would then trade for the 7’2″ center while giving up very little. The one downside is his injury concerns, but Denver will most likely rest him for his rookie year since they do not need him right away – as they did with Michael Porter Jr.
So, what exactly did the Nuggets get? They got a 7’2″ big man who averaged 21 points per game in the small number of games he played in college while averaging over 50 percent shooting from three-point land and in the field in general. Not to mention, Bol pulled in 9.6 rebounds per game as well. Not to mention, he will have an impact outside of the box score as well. If a player is going to take a charge against him on a fast-break, they better brace themselves because they will have a 7’2 freak of nature bolting at them. Even if he does not get a blocked shot; rest assured Bol is going to make the opposition either alter his shot or look for another opportunity outside of the paint. This is a move that may not come to fruition right away, but it could pay off in the long run for the Nuggets’ franchise.
Oklahoma City Thunder Trade Jerami Grant to the Nuggets
The Thunder shocked everyone in the NBA world when they traded Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers. Now, it seems as if they are hitting the reset button as they are shopping Russell Westbrook around as well. There next step was trading Jerami Grant to Denver in exchange for a first-round pick. While Grant may not be a household name, he is going to be a valuable addition to the Nuggets’ second unit. He gives Denver a chance to move on from Trey Lyles and upgrade at the back-up power forward spot.
ESPN story on Thunder trading Jerami Grant to the Nuggets for a 2020 first-round pick. https://t.co/G8u7LYDSDI
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 8, 2019
Grant is on a team-friendly deal. Due to his length and athleticism, he has improved his game year after year. Last season, Grant averaged 13.6 points per game while connecting on 39.2 percent of his shots from three-point territory. Not to mention, he grabbed 5.2 rebounds per game as well. Grant is athletic and versatile enough to be a Swiss army knife type of player for Denver. He has the length and quickness to play the three spot, but he is also able to play the four spot if head coach, Michael Malone, wants to experiment with a small-ball lineup. This alone upgrades Denver’s already potent second unit and adds even more depth to the roster.
Once again, the Nuggets have not made any big headlines with these additions, but they did not need to make any huge moves. These moves are still going to benefit the team and both players are going to be great fits for the Denver Nuggets.
