Exit Survey: 3 goals for the wounded Denver Nuggets

Philadelphia 76ers are one such example. Seemingly out of nowhere, Tyrese Maxey rose to become probably their second most important player after Joel Embiid. This includes James Harden, who is not going to be given an easy go of it by Father Time as the years pass (unlike the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/12/exit-survey-denver-nuggets/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/10/al-horford-boston-celtics/" rel="">suddenly ageless Al Horford</a>).</p> <p>Do the Nuggets have one of these guys in their ranks already? Could Bones Hyland come back next year and take a significant leap forward, just as Maxey did for the 76ers this year? The rookie point guard had a nice showing during the regular season and in the playoffs, saw nearly 18 minutes of action a night.</p> <p>A young and exciting floor general to put beside Jokic (and hopefully Murray) would go some way to strengthening their depth. Aaron Gordon is already in place, with his defensive skills still being overlooked by some, despite doing the same while a member of the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/12/exit-survey-denver-nuggets/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/orlando-magic/">Orlando Magic.</p> <p>Hyland showed some nice defensive flashes as well, and given that defending to a high level isn’t what Jokic and Murray are about, it would be a great compliment to the group if Hyland could continue to improve in that area.</p> <p>He shot over 34 percent from deep in their brief postseason run, and over 36 percent during the regular season, which is a nice place to start if Hyland wants to one day be a starter and ascend to an important cog around Jokic.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/12/exit-survey-denver-nuggets/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #2 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_444792" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-444792 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/12/exit-survey-denver-nuggets/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1392241551.jpeg" alt="Denver Nuggets" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1392241551.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1392241551-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 18: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks to pass around Andrew Wiggins #22 and Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors in the first half during Game Two of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Chase Center on April 18, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>3 goals for the wounded Denver Nuggets: 2. Don’t panic about early exit</h2> <p>Although we’ve already spoken about championship windows closing quickly, it is really important that the Nuggets don’t panic this offseason. They simply need to stay the course and keep on this path, and they will get back to true contention next season. Having a two-time league MVP is pretty much the best place you can start.</p> <p>But the Nuggets are also further down the path than the likes of the Memphis Grizzlies and even Dallas Mavericks. Should both of those teams go home in the second round, and it looks like they will, then they will need to have serious conversations about restructuring their roster in a significant way for next year.</p> <p>The Nuggets don’t need to do that. They should always be open to taking a phone call, but there is no panic move to make. Even Michael Porter Jr., the enigma who has now been given a ton of money but spent most of the season on the shelf, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/12/exit-survey-denver-nuggets/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/04/jamal-murray-michael-porter-jr-nuggets/" rel="">shouldn’t be rushed out of town</a> if a juicy deal comes along.</p> <p>Even if the Brooklyn Nets wanted to get rid of Ben Simmons, is there a deal the Nuggets could or would make to get a second, All-Star level player? We have spoken about the need for a co-star, but they don’t need to tear everything up in pursuit of one. Injuries hurt the Nuggets during the season, yet they had the sixth-best offensive rating (113.8) in the league.</p> <p>Defensively, they were league average (111.5), while at 27.8 a night, they had the third most assists in the league. This explains in broad strokes why Jokic was the MVP again, but it also shows that there is a solid system in place. Over 20 teams in the NBA don’t have that and are trying to find it, so the Nuggets are still in a good place.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/12/exit-survey-denver-nuggets/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #1 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_444793" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-444793" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/12/exit-survey-denver-nuggets/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1194790503.jpeg" alt="Denver Nuggets" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1194790503.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1194790503-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 18: Terrence Ross #8 of the Orlando Magic puts up a shot against Michael Porter Jr. #1 of the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter at the Pepsi Center on December 18, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>3 goals for the wounded Denver Nuggets: 1. Try improve around the edges</h2> <p>This is the way the Nuggets will come back even stronger next season. If they look at rebuilding teams or even try to nab some low-level free agents on team-friendly deals, they can improve their depth to absorb the kind of injuries that always seem to haunt them at the worst times.</p> <p>We know they will once again be a top assist team next year because of Jokic, so finding another spot-up shooter to hit open shots all day long would be hugely beneficial. A Seth Curry-type, somebody like Terrence Ross of the Magic whose contract can be absorbed and who deserves his chance to join a contending roster.</p> <p>Even if Ross isn’t the guy, there are plenty of players who fit this bill and could be gotten for a reasonable price. Donte DiVincenzo of the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/12/exit-survey-denver-nuggets/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/sacramento-kings/">Sacramento Kings is a restricted free agent this summer. The Kings could, of course, match any potential deal the Nuggets offered him, but this is the Kings we’re talking about.</p> <p>They’ve just hired yet another head coach in Mike Brown and just traded away Tyrese Haliburton, who looks like a future superstar. Still only 25 and with championship experience from his time with the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/12/exit-survey-denver-nuggets/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/milwaukee-bucks/">Milwaukee Bucks, DiVincenzo would be a nice addition to the group. Obviously, the needs go beyond shooters, but the Bucks ranked 16th (35.3 percent) in that category last year.</p> <p>Being a lockdown defensive unit doesn’t look like it will ever be their calling card. But freewheeling basketball, scoring a ton of points, and sharing the ball in the process certainly does. It has gotten them far in the past.</p> <p>So, improving the three-point shooting on the cheap would add another tool to their already impressive arsenal. We’re not close to the day of reckoning with this group yet, and really it feels like better times are once again on the horizon.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="3 offseason goals for the electrifying Pelicans" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/05/exit-survey-new-orleans-pelicans/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/12/exit-survey-denver-nuggets/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/05/exit-survey-new-orleans-pelicans/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> 3 offseason goals for the electrifying Pelicans </a> </div> </div><!—pageview_candidate—>">