SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 27: Nikola Jokic #15 and Jeff Green #32 of the Denver Nuggets complain about a call during Game Five of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on April 27, 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)
5 roster moves the Denver Nuggets need to make this offseason
Apr 1, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Jeff Green (32) warms up before the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
The 2021-22 season was always going to be a struggle for the Denver Nuggets. They were going to be without their borderline superstar point guard Jamal Murray thanks to his knee injury and the league was now able to focus more on Nikola Jokic after he won the MVP award for the 2020-21 season.
Well, Jokic went about carrying the team on his back and in the process, won back-to-back MVPs. While this may have been a contentious selection in some circles there is no question that he deserved the honor.
The Nuggets got some surprise contributions from rookie Bones Hyland and made the trade to land Bryn Forbes who shot the three-ball at 41.0 percent with the franchise. The Nuggets have already been active in the post-playoff period, trading JaMychal Green to the Oklahoma City Thunder for the 30th pick. This move gives them a second first-round pick and greater salary cap flexibility.
5 roster moves the Denver Nuggets need to make this offseason: 1. Have Jeff Green opt-in
At the age of 35 and having suffered major health setbacks throughout his career, it is incredible that Jeff Green was one of the iron men for the Nuggets. He played in 75 games, starting 63 of them. While he only played 24.7 minutes per game, he averaged 10.3 points in that time, taking some of the pressure off Jokic.
He is such an experienced voice to have around the locker room that any production that you get from Green is a bonus. With Michael Porter Jr. back from injury expect Green’s role to diminish this season but he will be a valuable bench player, and at $4.5 million for next season, he is a bargain.
