The Denver Nuggets lost a key rotation member for the second consecutive offseason with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s free-agent departure. Caldwell-Pope got a massive raise after opting out of a $15.5 million player option as he signed a three-year, $66 million deal with the Orlando Magic.
Even if Denver wanted to keep Caldwell-Pope, who has made at least 38.5% of his 3-point attempts, the Nuggets couldn’t afford him. With Jamal Murray‘s extension looming, the Nuggets would have been way above the punitive second apron.
Nuggets President Talks 2024-25 Roster And Whether More Will Moves To Be Made; Team Interested In Serbian Guard?
Instead, the Nuggets used the money they saved by allowing Caldwell-Pope to walk and dumping Reggie Jackson in a trade to fill out their roster as best they could. The Nuggets improved their backup point guard situation with the addition of Russell Westbrook, who could theoretically help offset KCP’s loss, but that remains to be seen.
The Nuggets added Dario Saric and rookie DaRon Holmes (trade) while re-signing DeAndre Jordan and Vlatko Cancar. Saric projects to fill Jeff Green‘s role during the Nuggets’ surprising 2022-23 NBA championship run.
Denver has 21 players under contract, including 15 on standard contracts, and all three two-way contracts are filled. The 15 players on standard contracts, all fully guaranteed, total 182.9 million in salaries. Thus, the Nuggets are over the first apron and $4.7 million from being hard capped at the second apron.
So, the Nuggets are done making moves, correct?
Maybe, Nuggets president Josh Kroenke told Bennett Durando of the Denver Post.
“I think right now the roster’s pretty set for this year. But you never know. Our eyes and ears are always open. The new rules are interesting, and how some of those trades work once you’re over the tax.”
Even though the Nuggets have 15 players under contract, Holmes is out for the year due to an Achilles injury he suffered during the NBA Summer League. Also, Cancar—coming off a torn ACL that cost him 2023-24—struggled during Slovenia’s three Olympic qualifying games this summer. He tallied 4.7 points and 2.7 rebounds in 22 minutes a game with shooting splits of 15.8%/7.1%/87.5% while posting a -47 plus/minus rating.
Project Rotation
Starters: Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, and Nikola Jokic.
Second Unit: Russell Westbrook, Julian Strawther, Peyton Watson, Dario Saric, Zeke Nnaji
Bench: Trey Alexander (two-way), Jalen Pickett, Hunter Tyson, Vlatko Cancar, DeAndre Jordan
Others: Spencer Jones (2-way), PJ Hall (2-way), DaRon Holmes (Inj)
Training Camp/Exhibit 10: Jahmir Young, Gabe McGlothan, Jaylin Williams
Denver is set in the frontcourt. But questions abound surrounding their backcourt and wings off the bench, especially if Westbrook doesn’t fit in. Strawther had a solid two-game NBA Summer League stint.
Young and McGlothan are likely ticketed to Grand Rapids of the G-League. Williams could end up there as well unless there is an injury, or he plays extremely well and gets a chance with another team.
Otherwise, expect the Nuggets to begin the season as the roster is constructed.
Interest in Vasilije Micic?
As the depth chart indicates, the Nuggets could use a third ball-handler. According to NBA Insider Marc Stein, one player who could interest Denver is Jokic’s Serbian teammate, Vasilije Micic.
Micic signed a multi-year deal with Oklahoma City last July. At the trade deadline, he was sent to Charlotte in a four-player trade that involved Gordon Haywood going to the Thunder.
Following the trade, Micic made an immediate impact with the Hornets. Micic averaged 10.2 points and 6.2 assists and committed 2.3 turnovers in 27.2 minutes over 30 contests, including 21 starts. He also produced four double-doubles and drained 1.1 treys with shooting splits of 43.7%/29.4%/83.9%.
