{"id":24535,"date":"2019-08-09T07:38:35","date_gmt":"2019-08-09T11:38:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnba.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=24535"},"modified":"2019-08-09T07:38:35","modified_gmt":"2019-08-09T11:38:35","slug":"the-denver-nuggets-solution-at-small-forward","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2019\/08\/09\/the-denver-nuggets-solution-at-small-forward\/","title":{"rendered":"The Denver Nuggets’ Solution at Small Forward"},"content":{"rendered":"

In 2018-19, the Denver Nuggets<\/a><\/strong> had one traditional small forward on its roster \u2013 Torrey Craig<\/a><\/strong>. With Craig spending the majority of the previous season (2017-18) in the G-League, Head Coach Mike Malone was forced to be creative when addressing the wing position throughout the season. To begin the season, he went with Will Barton<\/a><\/strong> until a right hip injury forced him to miss 39 games. This injury led to Torrey Craig, Malik Beasley<\/a><\/strong>, Juan Hernang\u00f3mez<\/a><\/strong>, and Trey Lyles<\/a><\/strong> getting a shot at starting small forward. All of whom are NBA capable players, but not quite starting small forward caliber players in today\u2019s NBA.<\/p>\n

Small Forward Solution for the Denver Nuggets<\/b><\/h2>\n

After ending the season with a surprising 54-28 record and two seed in the West, the Nuggets are now entering the season with higher expectations. Addressing the concern at small forward is imperative for them to repeat or even finish better than last season. And without drafting, trading for, or signing a traditional small forward, the Denver Nuggets may have found their solution.<\/p>\n

Mostly, the Nuggets bring back the same team from last year with minor tweaks. They added Jerami Grant<\/a><\/strong> and Vlatko \u010can\u010dar<\/a><\/strong> at the forward spot and Bol Bol<\/a><\/strong> at the center position. They lost Trey Lyles, Tyler Lydon<\/a><\/strong>, and guards Isaiah Thomas<\/a>, Brandon Goodwin<\/a><\/strong>, and DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Options at Denver Nuggets’ Small Forward<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Michael<\/strong> P<\/strong>orter<\/strong> Jr<\/strong>.<\/h4>\n

2018 14th <\/sup>overall pick, Michael Porter Jr.<\/a> <\/strong>is expected to be healthy for the start of the season. Porter Jr has brought on a lot of positive anticipation throughout the off-season, despite not playing in the summer league. He hasn\u2019t played more than three games in a season since his senior year in high school (2016-17). But, short clips from workouts have shown his explosiveness, and the testimonies from coaches and players praise how good he has looked in practice.<\/p>\n

The 6\u201910” 210-pound forward has the tantalizing skill and NBA-ready athleticism. Porter Jr has a Kevin Durant<\/a><\/strong>-type build with similar ball-handling skills. His form on his jump shot looks incredibly encouraging to become a 35-40 percent three-point shooter. Defensively, it will take him time to adjust to the physicality and speed of the game, but has the shot-blocking skills and lateral quickness to be a positive defender.<\/p>\n

With him just turning 21 in June, his body might be maturing enough to keep him healthy and, on the court, where he can show why he was thought as a potential number one overall pick.<\/p>\n

Jerami Grant<\/strong><\/h4>\n

In addition to Michael Porter Jr, the Nuggets took advantage of the surprising rebuild happening with Oklahoma City Thunder<\/a>. They acquired former Syracuse forward, Jerami Grant<\/a><\/strong> who has developed into an impactful two-way player throughout his career.<\/p>\n

At 6\u20199” and springs in his legs, playing power forward is his natural position. However, his lateral quickness, willingness to defend, and newly found shooting stroke (39.2 percent from three), he has showcased the ability to move up a position.<\/p>\n

In the 2018-19 season, Jerami Grant defended the following small forwards<\/p>\n