Full Episode: Nuggets Offseason Overview - Will KCP stay? Who will the Nuggets draft?

[@mydog337]

Here's something no one is talking about - Even though it is not his personality type, at some point someone from the FO needs to ask Jokic who he wants to play with. When Jokic stood during the 4th quarter vs MIN he clearly was not happy with 1 or 2 fellow starters IMHO. He is nearly 30 yrs old and is coming into his own. I believe he has an opinion (trade players like Murray and MPJ and acquire players like Bogy, Milicic and even maybe Luka) they would pick up the phone. This is Jokic`s team and we are ALL just playing for him.

[@WhatsinaGameNBA]

It’s what we expect from these high level superstars in today’s game for better or worse. He seems so flexible and understanding but also he’s so smart and knows how he wants to play. Malone, Booth, and Kroenke better consult him. Mike Singer did talk about how invested Jokić was in talking to Calvin Booth about how to become a Tim Duncan like champion for his new book. So hopefully some of this is going on. -WJ

[@fentanyljones6956]

You’re deluded on Luka. I’d be shocked if Jokic wanted Jamal out.

[@HardwoodKnocksNBA]

grace starting off her small-ball lineup explanation with a seven-footer is so on-brand lmao…props to will and zamora embracing the full on downsizing concept

[@WhatsinaGameNBA]

I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Great question, Dan! Thank you for that one. -WJ

[@WhatsinaGameNBA]

The core of small-ball is a fluid play-style, not a rigid lineup. -GJ

[@fentanyljones6956]

If Watson can get a consistent jumper KCP will be missed much less. I think we’re a year out on finding out who he can be. My hopes are high if he can develop consistent offense.

[@WhatsinaGameNBA]

I agree, but I also don't want to be in a position, as a team who should be contending, to require a leap from a young bench player in order to be competitive. Losing KCP potentially puts more pressure on the young guys than should be there to get consistently good in a short amount of time...

[@ajcornstar]

If KCP will leave, I think Tyus Jones is the best ball handler Nuggets should 🎯 target

[@WhatsinaGameNBA]

I think he may be a bit out of Denver's price range, unfortunately -GJ

[@JovicaMilutinovic]

I still stand by the fact that MPJ should be traded if the opportunity arises. I read a lot of articles and no one is interested in MPJ. He is on a max contract and is simply not a player for the play offs, where the pressure is higher than in the regular season. When the title was won, he had a streak of games without hitting a single three-pointer this year against Minnesota, even worse. Next season, if Jamal doesn't improve, the same thing should be done with him. Both the MPJ and Jamal are in downfall and will continue to do so. Their career highlight was winning the ring last year, and while the other players are progressing in all teams, both are either in the same place or even worse, without progress in their game, fitness...

[@mydog337]

Facts

[@WhatsinaGameNBA]

Unfortunately he doesn’t offer the same value to other teams as he does for the Nuggets. His contract would help to break the roster into multiple pieces but I just think the team isn’t better without him. -WJ

[@JovicaMilutinovic]

@@WhatsinaGameNBA I have been following the NBA since the 94/95 season, although it is very difficult to follow in Serbia because of the big time difference. In the last 4 years, I missed maybe 10-15 Denver games. Go see how MPJ played against Minnesota last season in the playoffs. A professional NBA player with a max contract can't give other teams what he can for Denver is complete nonsense. If KCP goes to the Lakers now, will the Lakers be better? If Gordon goes to Houston, will Houston be better? If Jokic goes to Toronto, will Toronto be better? These are examples of players who will make a difference in every team, but MPJ can't, but he has a max contract. And if KCP goes for nothing, next year it will be Gordon's turn. The Kroenke family is the owner of Arsenal from London, which last season spent 350 million euros on player transfers, plus player salaries. They finished in second place and are already buying players for around 80 million euros. The total value of Arsenal's players is €1.16bn, on which they also pay luxury tax. You have 3XMVP in the Denver team and after this year's failure it is obvious that you have to add one all star player if you are really a candidate for the title. We hoped that Jamal would manage to become an all star this year, but it was the complete opposite. If MPJ is not traded this season, his contract is a bigger poison pill than Zeke's contract. Jamal will get the last chance for one more season if he shows the same again, at the end of the next season he will be traded. You can't expect to win a ring if you don't strengthen your team, while the other teams in the west are getting stronger from season to season.

[@fentanyljones6956]

MPJ kept us in the Lakers series this year, got us 2 of those wins. It’s not his play that shut him out in the playoffs, it’s the fact they didn’t have to guard the whole team honestly, so they were able to take him out of the game.

[@JovicaMilutinovic]

@@fentanyljones6956 Last season, in the playoffs, he had a series of games without a single three-pointer. This season exactly the same, even worse. Look at the movement in the games with Minnesota, in all seven games he seemed to be lost. A professional who has only one skill, which is the three-point shot, and he couldn't do it in at least one game. We won three games because Braun played his minutes and was great defensively. Two players scored 69 points out of 90, KCP and Gordon had more work to do defensively where they used themselves to the maximum. Look at how he played last year against Wolves, how he moved and was more explosive everywhere on the court, not just the three-point shot. Other teams are getting better and better especially in the west. Denver got the last trade and reinforcement with KCP after that nothing. The same for Jamal, I would let him go for one more season, if he is not at a better level, he will also be traded at the end of the next season. They have been playing together for 5.6 years, maybe the chemistry is gone, you can't expect three players from the starting 5 to end their careers in Denver. Jokic is not a player who will play after 33 maybe 34 years, if they don't get stronger now we will end up like Golden State, a bunch of worn out players and no more championships.

[@gorantamburic2000]

How Biston have all this stars while we have only one and on top of that got a CBA plroblem like how ?

[@fentanyljones6956]

I hope homegirl’s shocking upset statement was in jest lol.

[@WhatsinaGameNBA]

Hahaha, yes I was certainly joking -GJ

[@ranisalman9650]

Don't think nuggets were good enough to win the title this year. Simply because they didn't switch to playoff gear as they clearly did last year. The Spurs game foreshadowed things to come and against LA we were not playing championship ball.

[@WhatsinaGameNBA]

Yep. It’s more theoretically on paper. But ultimately they were too sluggish, tired, ran into the ground. And we didn’t get it done. -WJ

[@CaneOdPchinje]

Yep, ball-handling. But more - playmaking. When Jokic is off the floor - Nuggets look LOST, especially on offense. Jamal, being slow and lacking quickness - and generally being LATE to make decisions - is just not it. Not in the 1st unit and even less on 2nd. Wolves exposed Jamal fully. Put him in jail with a bit of physicality and Murray looked pathetic out there. So, a "creator" - able to organize the offense, drive into the paint, open up space... WITH OR WITHOUT Jokic. Then, the backup center... Jokic simply cannot play all games, and the most minutes and THEN play 45minutes in playoffs. It's stupid, reckless, hypocritical (Nuggets FO is often heard saying "we need to help Jokic rest" - but always do exactly the opposite). Nuggets FO/Booth are so incompetent - it's mind-blowing. Everyone knew last off-season what's coming - KCP contract, AG contract after that, and they didn't even try to solve the problem (bb and jg) at the minimum, let alone look forward a year or two. They DID NOTHING. Less than nothing - loaded the roster with low 2nd round picks that no one wanted for years, and none of them actually made ANY impact and, it seems, progress. Jamal "being eligible" is an item? :))))))) Nuggets would be smart to TRADE his fat ass while trading might be good. Giving him a max again would be the stupidest thing ever. Again - EVERYONE and their cousin figured out Jamal - he's done, his peak is behind us and TRADING him would be a sign that Nuggets FO actually have some intelligence left. Here's how it's gonna go: Either Nuggets FO will, all of a sudden, grow a brain and balls and make significant moves (trade Jamal or/and trade MPJ... make moves for zeke, reggie, last year's drafts... and the kitchen sink) OR Nuggets FO will again do nothing and waste another year (actually 2) of Jokic's prime. And then - rebuild will become the only option.

[@WhatsinaGameNBA]

It will be okay. This offseason and next season are big ones though! Gotta be better all around. - WJ

[@CaneOdPchinje]

@@WhatsinaGameNBA Yep, I also hope for the peace in the world, solving the world hunger and all sorts of wonderful things. Alas... Broom with no di*k, won't get to too many weddings.

[@ranisalman9650]

If it wasn't for Murray we would not have a championship period. That's not to say he has major deficiencies, especially in the regular season. If he does not come in shape early in the season and transform I would not offer him the max

[@mydog337]

Ohh gimme dat...they should have you as a guest....your takes better than dude they had on

[@CaneOdPchinje]

@@mydog337 Thanks mydog... I understand the fan mentality - ready to close their eyes to very obvious things - because "our team", "positivity", and whatnot. However, Jokic 1st fans (ipso facto - Nuggets fans) can be much more objective. Inactivity and obtuseness of the FO was astounding. After the deadline - I was just speechless. It was clear at that point that Nuggets threw away the season - and knowing the KCP and AG status - probably another one or two. I could not believe it. Booth, in one interview before the POs, even said something like "PWatson is better than Bruce Brown"... Level of delusion there is beyond comprehension. I almost threw up. How he ended up where he is, is a mystery to me and probably most basketball literate people. Re Jamal - just look at his PER... hes 31st in the league - everyone, and I mean EVERYONE is way ahead of him - Shai, Luka, Brunson, Haliburton, Tatum, Irving, Mitchell, Butler, T.J, Booker, ... even Lamello! Again - I understand the fans - wishful thinking rules there - but Murray overall stats were simply below mediocre in this league. Anywho - Nuggets are at the "precipice" - either make tough decisions followed by a herculean effort (e.g. clean up the FO, get a competent GM, then go into trades aggressively...) OR waste Jokic's prime for another 2 years at the least (by then I hope he'll be long gone).

[@mighty_object]

This smells like another Jeramy Grant situation :/