Denver Nuggets (10-4) 2023-24 Season Thread: 11/22 @ Magic

[pmatic]

I'd take Asik from the Bulls if I were the Nuggets. But then again, he may just be a product of Thibodeau's defensive system and the Bulls probably don't want to trade him.

 

[blazers21ntnp]

Originally Posted by PMatic

I'd take Asik from the Bulls if I were the Nuggets. But then again, he may just be a product of Thibodeau's defensive system and the Bulls probably don't want to trade him.

If the Bulls were willing to trade Asik, what realistic trade scenario could you see happening? I can't see the Nuggets giving up their starting 2 to take a chance on Omer, especially when they have 2 legit, young 7-footers in Mozgov & Koufos, and then Andersen at 6'11". And Mozgov and Andersen aren't going to be moved, so Asik would be 3rd on the depth chart at C.

 

[executive76]

The Nuggets will have their first preseason game at the Pepsi Center on Dec. 20 against Phoenix. Tipoff is at 7 p.m., and it will be the only preseason home game. Then Denver will play at Phoenix on Dec. 22.




According to a release from the Nuggets, tickets for the home preseason game will be $20 for all club and lower-level seats and $10 for all upper-level seats.

Nuggets need scoring Al isn't going anywhere. 



Rebuilding phase pretty much started last year a sign and trade with Nene and it will be well underway 

Bulls need a LEGIT #2 scoring option. Affalo isn't that.  Asik

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[blazers21ntnp]

Nuggets' George Karl Q&A: Nene an important cog

Posted: 12/04/2011 01:00:00 AM MST

By Benjamin Hochman
The Denver Post




He stillcan't taste the wine. About a year-and-a-half after beating throat cancer,George Karl remains unable to drink wine, an inconvenience, to be sure, on atrip to Italy last week. While he tries acupuncture on his throat to helprevitalize his taste buds, he'll have to settle for his other favoriteindulgence in life.

For theNuggets coach, basketball is his Bordeaux. He cherishes the game, savors it andstudies it like a sommelier of the screen-and-roll.

It was,therefore, a long summer for Karl, 60, who had to wait to put the whistlearound his neck. Now the NBA is back, with camps scheduled to open Friday. Inhis first NBA-related interview since the lockout began, Karl spoke to TheDenver Post on Saturday about an array of topics, from the possibility ofsigning Nene to his starting lineup to the smartest guy in the league.

Q: Whatdoes your gut tell you about the Nuggets' chances of signing Nene?

A: I'manxious for my opportunity to recruit him (later this week). I think Nene knowshow much I care about him. In a strange way, Nene's become maybe the mostimportant guy on our team. He's not a man of big numbers, but he's a man of bigresponsibility. I think our young guys need him. We've talked a lot (in thepast) about how he'd rather play power forward than center, well, I think thisis the year he can get that opportunity (with Timofey Mozgov at center). He'sbecome our veteran leader. I really do think this is the best place for him.

Q: IfNene returns, is your lineup Ty Lawson, ArronAfflalo​, DaniloGallinari​, Mozgov and Nene?

A: I'mnot going to write that in stone, but that's probably what we're looking at.Timo has had a great run in Russia. Of all our players, he's played well. He'sbeen extremely impressive from the videos we've seen.

Q: OK,but what is the lineup if Nene doesn't return?

A: I'llbe honest with you — I think KostaKoufos​ is a guy we'd probably consider, as well as Al Harrington​ and Chris Andersen.There are a lot of guys. And we're not afraid to play small. I would say thatKosta is going to be given a lot of minutes this year. And Bird has been a responsibleplayer for us, and he'll be healthier.

Q: Whatwill be your strategy with the point guards, since last spring you often playedLawson and ex-Nugget Raymond Felton together?

A: Ithink Ty and Andre Miller are going to be great leaders for our team. Andre(acquired from Portland), if he's not the smartest player in the NBA, he's oneof the top three. His brain is as good as anybody in the game. I put him in thesame category with SteveNash​. We had a lotof success last season playing two point guards together, and I plan on doingsome of that this year. Ty has shown he's ready to be a 30-35 minute player. Weneed him to step forward.

Q: What'syour strategy in a shortened training camp?

A: Campwill be 60 percent defensive-oriented, to where we can build our offense off ofbeing a good defensive team — and build our confidence off playing defense.

Q: How isyour health these days?

A: Otherthan getting old, I think I'm doing great, from a standpoint of sustaining myweight, getting a little stronger, working out a little more. There's been aconsistent improvement there from over the summer. I just enjoy where I amright now. The 66-game season squeezed in, there's going to be a lot of traveland a lot of games, but everybody in the organization has got to be ready tocommit the time to give us a great chance to get better, grow during the seasonand get ready for the playoffs.

BenjaminHochman: 303-954-1294 or [email protected]

 

[executive76]

Lawson slims down, expands his horizons during lockout
By: Craig Stouffer | 12/04/11 1:52 PM
Examiner Staff Writer | Follow Him @Craigstouffer
Ty Lawson used the lockout wisely, expanding his horizons and trimming his waistline.

Having arrived back in the U.S. on Thursday evening from a fall stint playing for Zalgiris in Kaunas, Lithuania, Lawson was back in Verizon Center immediately on Friday morning to continue his preparation for the start of NBA training camps this week.

Down to 185 pounds for the first time since high school, the 5-foot-11 Lawson, already one of the fastest point guards in the NBA, exploded by 6-9 Pops Mensah-Bonsu and threw down a vicious dunk in one-on-one drills.

“I think I’ve got my bounce back,

 

[blazers21ntnp]

https://twitter.com/#!/KBergCBS

KBergCBS Ken Berger

"Good conversation" today between #Nuggets and RFA Thaddeus Young, and more conversations planned, source says.
1 hour ago


KBergCBS Ken Berger

Denver's interest in Sixers' Young is latest indication that Nuggets are preparing for Nene departure.
1 hour ago

Posted December 5, 2011, 12:51 pm MT
[h1]Al Thornton is considering signing with Nuggets[/h1]
By Benjamin Hochman


6-foot-8 free agent forward Al Thornton is considering signing with the Nuggets, though he said he has 4-5 other teams also interested in his services.

NBA gyms are open now to players from any team – for instance, Ty Lawson has been working out at the Wizards facility near his home in the D.C. area – so Thornton worked out at Pepsi Center today, as did Nuggets Andre Miller, Jordan Hamilton, Kosta Koufos and Gary Forbes.

Asked if he’ll sign with Denver, Thornton said, “We’ll see. Hopefully. We’ll see.

 

[executive76]

On Tuesday evening, the NBA revealed the Denver Nuggets regular season schedule for 2011-12, and the full schedule is available for your perusal on Denver's website.

The Nuggets start the year with three of their first four games on the road, and they'll open their season in Dallas against the defending champions. Because of the compressed nature of the schedule, the team will play on back-to-back nights on a number of occasions; they'll do it four times in January alone. They'll also play games on back-to-back-to-back nights at the beginning of February.

And as had been rumored on Monday, the Nuggets will play their only game against the Knicks in New York. That game is scheduled for Jan. 21.

 

[executive76]

Sign and Trade Nene

For whatever reason, it’s become pretty clear that not only does Nene want out of Denver but he’s also going to be very, very expensive in the open market. How much is too much for a center with a career rebounding average of 6.9 a game? Yes, he’s very efficient around the basket and a decent passer, but will he be worth upwards of $13 million a season to the Denver Nuggets? Or are they better off facilitating a sign-and-trade deal to pick up a draft pick or a player who could really contribute to the team’s future? Also, Nene turns 30 in 2012. A five-year deal starting at $13 million will be very expensive when he gets into his mid-thirties.

Take advantage of the situation. The Nuggets should be agreeable to a deal wherever he wants to go and ask no more than a first-round pick (well, ask for two and see how it goes) in order to facilitate a deal that gets him higher annual raises. That allows the Nuggets to add some talent in the future and doesn’t clog their cap with Nene’s contract for the next five years.




Wait on Wilson Chandler

Chandler will return in the spring and he will immediately draw interest around the league as a restricted free agent. Denver will retain the ability to sign him (or sign-and-trade him) and should keep him. Whether or not he starts at the small forward position (with Danilo Gallinari at the four) or comes off the bench as the first wing behind Afflalo and Gallinari, he’s an excellent defender and capable scorer. He makes Denver better.

His contract in China keeping him overseas until March actually plays into Denver’s favor. Very few, if any, teams will have cap space to make an offer to Chandler at that time and the Nuggets may have no one competing against them on a multi-year offer. That’s not an excuse to be insulting – Chandler could still sign the Qualifying Offer and become an unrestricted free agent in July – but is an excuse to be conservative. Maybe an offer just over the Mid-Level Exception for five years? Plus, he could play the final month of this season and be part of a push for a playoff spot.







Save Some Money for the Future

Assuming the Nuggets follow this general guideline they will have almost a full roster and still about $10 million in cap space, some of which they have to spend to get to the minimum spending level of 85% of the cap. Should Denver spend it all? Should they use whatever is left to make a run at a restricted free agent like the Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan?

A better option may be to just fill in with a couple minimum or otherwise cheap deals and roll the money over. This allows them to save money for when Chandler comes back, plus for the future. Next summer Gallinari will be a restricted free agent (so will Kosta Koufos), plus they will have a chance to offer an early extension to Lawson (in fact, as of right now the Nuggets have only $19.5 million in commitments for 2012-13, though that will change). And, of course, the summer of 2012 is already being called the best in NBA free agency as far as depth since, well, 2010.

Denver also has the amnesty clause they could use at some point on Chris Andersen or Al Harrington, though they currently aren’t likely to do so. The key is to maintain flexibility going forward.

 

[executive76]

WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski
The bidding to sign Clips' DeAndre Jordan to an offer sheet Friday likely to include G-State, Houston, New Orleans and Denver, sources say.

 

[blazers21ntnp]

https://twitter.com/#!/ChrisMannixSI

ChrisMannixSI Chris Mannix

Rockets, sources say, were hot after Nene. Rival execs believe he is headed back to Denver at a max or close to max deal.
3 hours ago


ChrisMannixSI Chris Mannix

Nene has yet to make any decision on his future, source close to him says.
3 hours ago


https://twitter.com/#!/WojYahooNBA

WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski

Denver has been privately expressing confidence on ability to re-sign Nene with 5 year deal, but derby far from over, league sources say.
51 minutes ago


WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski
by SpearsNBAYahoo

Nene is still wide open, with Denver, Indiana, Houston, Golden State and New Jersey in hot pursuit, league sources say.
3 hours ago

SpearsNBAYahoo Marc J. Spears

Wiz free agent SF Josh Howard is attracted to signing with team DEN FA C Nene signs with, source tells Y! SA, Chi, Den, NO, Utah, NJ in mix
2 hours ago

https://twitter.com/#!/ChrisMannixSI/status/144858841627107330

 

[executive76]

Nene wants that extra year

 

[aepps20]

Don't resign Nene. This would be the second time management overpaid him.

 

[blazers21ntnp]

Ujiri needs to let Nenê walk.

And why the hell is Josh Howard interested in following Nenê wherever he goes? Seems extremely random.

 

[executive76]

There was some good Nuggets news late Thursday. A source from around the league said Denver is making a strong push for forward Luc Mbah a Moute, a restricted free agent who played with Milwaukee last season. The 25-year-old Mbah a Moute (pronounced bah ah moo-tay) averaged 6.7 points per game and 5.3 rebounds, while showcasing a defensive dedication that would fit well with Denver coach George Karl's philosophy

No.	Player	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	School / Country	Exp.
11	Chris Andersen	F/C	6-10	228	Blinn (TX) J.C.	9
35	Kenneth Faried	F	6-8	228	Morehead State	R
8	Danilo Gallinari	F	6-10	225	Italy	3
1	Jordan Hamilton	G/F	6-7	220	Texas	R
7	Al Harrington	F	6-9	250	St. Patrick (NJ)	13
22	Cory Higgins	G	6-5	185	Colorado	R
41	Kosta Koufos	C	7-0	265	Ohio State	3
3	Ty Lawson	G	5-11	195	North Carolina	2
24	Andre Miller	G	6-2	200	Utah	11
25	Timofey Mozgov	C	7-1	250	Russia	1
51	Michael Ruffin	F	6-8	220	St. Benedict's Prep (NJ)	6
10	Julyan Stone	G	6-7	200	UTEP	R

 

[illwill24]

NBA Free Agency 2011: Clubs Can Spend $500,000 To Help Players Buy Out Deals Signed In China, According To Report
Dec
08
5:30a
by Russ Oates

READ MORE: J.R. Smith (F - DEN), Kenyon Martin (F - DEN), Wilson Chandler (G - DEN), Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets lost three players to China over the summer when it appeared that the lockout was interminable. Wilson Chandler, J.R. Smith and Kenyon Martin all left and signed rich deals. None of them received opt-out clauses, as the Chinese Basketball Association amended its rules to not give those outs. But now NBA teams will be able to pay $500,000 to help players buy out their deals in China, reports ESPN's Marc Stein.

For the Nuggets, this likely doesn't mean all too much with two of the players. J.R. Smith appeared to have one foot out of the door after last season ended. Kenyon Martin was and still remains a player who will leave the Nuggets since the team never seemed interested in paying him.

Wilson Chandler was a restricted free agent and received a qualifying offer from the Nuggets. The Nuggets would likely want to bring him back, but with the NBA rumor mill spinning faster as we get closer to the first official day of free agency, the situation remains fluid.

 

[jhobson5]

The Nuggets need a scorer to go along with Lawson and Miller. Glad to hear Lawson slimmed down, if he is a bit more aggressive in his scoring I think he can develop into a pretty good point guard. I am excited for this season .

 

[blazers21ntnp]

nuggetsnews Benjamin Hochman

Source confirmed that gary Forbes indeed has been offered a two-yr deal from Toronto, so he might not be back for #Nuggets
22 minutes agohttps://twitter.com/#!/nuggetsnews/status/145265700108369920

 

[executive76]

Teams love overpaying Nugget bench players.

 

[executive76]

 

[blazers21ntnp]

[h1]http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_19516958[/h1]

[h1]Nuggets make offer to defensive-minded forward Luc Mbah a Moute[/h1]
Posted: 12/10/2011 10:48:01 AM MST
Updated: 12/10/2011 11:02:53 AM MST
By Benjamin Hochman
The Denver Post


Coach George Karl has made it clear: His Nuggets plan to "build our offense off of being a good defensive team."

The Nuggets just made a move to significantly improve on the defensive end. A league source told The Denver Post today that the Nuggets have made an offer to Milwaukee restricted free agent forward Luc Mbah a Moute, who is known for his aggressive defense.

The offer sheet is for four years and a little more than $19 million. The Bucks would have a chance to match the offer, but the source said that might not happen.

Last season, Mbah a Moute (pronounced bah ah moo-tay) averaged 6.7 points and 5.3 rebounds. He's entering his fourth NBA season. If Denver can't re-sign Nene, the 25-year-old Mbah a Moute would likely start at power forward, alongside starting center Timofey Mozgov.

The 6-8 Mbah a Moute is a native of Cameroon and played at UCLA. As for another Bruin, the Nuggets are still making a push to re-sign Arron Afflalo, though he is coveted by numerous teams, as is Nene.

The Nuggets opened training camp Friday night and practice again today, preparing for the first game, Dec. 26, at defending-champion Dallas.

Benjamin Hochman: 303-954-1294, [email protected], Twitter @nuggetsnews




http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_19514312

Forbes gone.

Earlier this month, Gary Forbes said he hoped to return to the Nuggets, the team that gave him his shot.

Now Forbes appears to be headed to Toronto, to the team that gave him his first multiyear deal.

A source said Forbes is expected to sign a two-year contract with the Raptors — after his rookie year with Denver, in which he occasionally cracked the rotation.

 

[mjd77]

Originally Posted by Blazers21NTNP

[h1]http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_19516958[/h1]

[h1]Nuggets make offer to defensive-minded forward Luc Mbah a Moute[/h1]
Posted: 12/10/2011 10:48:01 AM MST
Updated: 12/10/2011 11:02:53 AM MST
By Benjamin Hochman
The Denver Post


Coach George Karl has made it clear: His Nuggets plan to "build our offense off of being a good defensive team."

The Nuggets just made a move to significantly improve on the defensive end. A league source told The Denver Post today that the Nuggets have made an offer to Milwaukee restricted free agent forward Luc Mbah a Moute, who is known for his aggressive defense.

The offer sheet is for four years and a little more than $19 million. The Bucks would have a chance to match the offer, but the source said that might not happen.

Last season, Mbah a Moute (pronounced bah ah moo-tay) averaged 6.7 points and 5.3 rebounds. He's entering his fourth NBA season. If Denver can't re-sign Nene, the 25-year-old Mbah a Moute would likely start at power forward, alongside starting center Timofey Mozgov.

The 6-8 Mbah a Moute is a native of Cameroon and played at UCLA. As for another Bruin, the Nuggets are still making a push to re-sign Arron Afflalo, though he is coveted by numerous teams, as is Nene.

The Nuggets opened training camp Friday night and practice again today, preparing for the first game, Dec. 26, at defending-champion Dallas.

Benjamin Hochman: 303-954-1294, [email protected], Twitter @nuggetsnews

http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_19514312

Forbes gone.

Earlier this month, Gary Forbes said he hoped to return to the Nuggets, the team that gave him his shot.

Now Forbes appears to be headed to Toronto, to the team that gave him his first multiyear deal.

A source said Forbes is expected to sign a two-year contract with the Raptors — after his rookie year with Denver, in which he occasionally cracked the rotation.

I'd be willing to bet the Bucks will match any offer.  He is a great asset to have on the defensive end.

 

[executive76]

@cf_gardner Bucks will match Denver's four-year offer to restricted free agent Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, according to league source.

 

[executive76]

The Denver Nuggets and the Philadelphia 76ers are involved in trade discussions for center Marreese Speights, according to NBA.com's David Aldridge. The deal reportedly would send a future second-round draft pick to the 76ers; however, this deal appears to be contingent on free agent forward/center Nene spurning the Nuggets and that all other options are explored.

Speights, 6 foot 10 and 245 pounds, was the the 16th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft by the 76ers. He's been a bench player for his entire three-year career, making just four start in 205 career starts. He's averaged 7.2 points and 3.7 rebounds in his career.

The Nuggets will surely want to explore more options than Speights, but a second-round pick is not too much to give up for this center.

 

[executive76]

Sources say Nuggets waiting to see what happens with Nene is holding off what they might do with restricted free agent Arron Afflalo

He's gonna be upset now

 

[executive76]

Sources tell ESPN that Mavs are in advanced discussions to deal Rudy Fernandez to Denver Nuggets for future draft considerations







ESPN sources say that Denver covets Mavs swingman Corey Brewer as well and are trying to expand the deal to land Brewer with Fernandez