The don't have draft picks either. Denver traded Charlotte's 1st round pick they acquired last season to Minnesota for the draft rights of Ty Lawson. They also traded their own 1st round pick for Steven Hunter (Whoops!). They traded their 2nd round pick of next month's draft to New York for Renaldo Balkman. This doesn't just mean that Denver doesn't have much of a chance at acquiring new young talent, but it also means they don't have picks to leverage in other trades.
The Nuggets was nearing $75M last season and $73M will return. Eating up big chunks of payroll are Carmelo ($17.1M), Kenyon Martin ($16.5M), Chauncey Billups (13.1M), and Nene (11.3M). Martin's contract is a problem. His contract is a actually a player option but I could not see any way he declines this option since his open market value is significantly lower. Carmelo has a player option after next season and Billups has a team option after next season. So if they were going to blow up their roster, after next season would be the time.
<<< Paid
Denver does have their full mid-level exception and bi-annual exception. After using their mid-level on Chris Anderson last season, they should look to make this money count this off-season. Bi-annual money can only do so much considering the most relevant bi-annual contract given out last season was to Flip Murray. They could upgrade at shooting guard with their mid-level, which could be Ray Allen or Ronny Brewer. JR Smith is too inconsistent and Arron Afflalo is only Arron Afflalo.
Another route they could take firming up their front court. Nene and Martin are both injury prone and no one wants to see Johan Petro getting playoff minutes next season. I like Udonis Haslem with this group or Tyrus Thomas. It is also important to remember that the mid-level and can split up between multiple players. So Ronny Brewer and Udonis Haslem could both potentially come as free agents.
What are their other options? JR Smith would draw some interest because of his potential, shooting ability, and athleticism. I'm sure most teams would want to stay away after considering his history of bad behavior. Additionally, I would pose the question: Is it too early to turn the PG position over to Ty Lawson? He showed promise but probably isn't ready to be a championship level NBA PG. Billups value is not going to get any higher and it took a hit with some of his ghostly performances this post-season. But he is a championship level PG, and many teams would give up some goods for his services.
It may be time for a shake-up for the Nuggets. The West isn't getting weaker anytime soon and the core of this Nuggets team has given it 2 solid tries already. If they don't mix things up, it will be more of the same for Denver.
This type of athleticism can off-set Smith's laundry list of legal offenses
Mbenga and Powell think he is ready to be THE point guard^^^
