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Denver Nuggets: 5 More Reasons to Be Excited for the 2016-2017 Season

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Mar 14, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) dunks the ball past Miami Heat forward Luol Deng (9) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Nuggets are ready for this season, and their fans should be also. Here are 5 more reasons to be hyped for this upcoming season.

On April 13, 2016, the game clock struck 0:00 on the Denver Nuggets season for 2015-2016 with a loss to the Trailblazers on the road. Since then we have heard numerous times that this marks the third straight season that Nuggets were without a playoff appearance.

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The cash and interest generated by playoff appearances and especially deep post-season runs it is understandable why importance is placed on another Nuggets no-show for the playoffs.

The 33-49 record from last season can easily be ignored by many NBA fans, but for most of us, watching Nuggets games during the 2015-2016 season saw a team that is worth following into the future. The Nuggets were fairly competitive, played with desire, and bought into the Malone system.

Now that storyline about the three-year playoff drought is behind us and the 2016 playoffs went as expected with the exception of the Cavaliers ultimately surprising the Warriors to win it all. Here are five reasons to be excited for the upcoming Denver Nuggets season in 2016-2017:

Trade Rumors

During NBA Summer League games we heard numerous comments from Head Coach Mike Malone and General Manager Tim Connelly indicating they were really pleased with the recent draft class but “we’re not done”.

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Which translated to many Denver Nuggets fans that a major trade was about to take place. We heard numerous rumors about Cousins from Sacramento, Love from Cleveland, Millsap from Atlanta, Pelicans, Lakers and 76ers rumors, and don’t forget the Russell Westbrook trade talk. So far none of these have occurred but I believe the Nuggets have been very active in trade talks.

Each of these rumors has some inherent flaws from player attitude/locker room chemistry to long-term contract issues. You never know how serious a trade rumor is until it actually happens but I view the lack of a major trade right now to be a good thing that is showing the Nuggets know they have many pieces but will not just make any trade to just make a change they are looking for the right deal.

I believe nothing major in the way of trades will happen until the trade deadline (unless you consider the Joffery Lauvergne trade for two future second round draft picks to be major ) but I am most intrigued and scared by a potential Demarcus Cousins deal because of his past relationship with Coach Malone and his on/off court behavior. Cousins could bring us a deep playoff run or a massive amount of regret.

Feb 8, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Mike Miller (3) dribbles the ball in front of Brooklyn Nets forward Chris McCullough (1) during the first half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Free Agency

We all watched this summer as some wild free agent happenings occurred with the large NBA salary cap increase. It was, at times, comical about who was getting max deals and who went where. I thought the Mozgov and Durant deals were the most interesting of the free agent signings and will have ripple effects across the league for next several seasons.

Just like with the trade rumors the Denver Nuggets have done nothing irrational with the cash flow going to free agent players. Instead, they resigned two of their role players in Darrell Arthur (DA) out of Kansas and Mike Miller. Both of these guys are solid locker room guys that contributed in numerous ways during the past season. If DA has a healthy year his contribution could be even bigger in 2016-2017.

Most importantly it was not the lack of cash available in the Denver Nuggets coffers to sign players that put the brakes on a max contract deals. Who could forget the wild two weeks of Nuggets pursuit of Dwyane Wade that ended with him going home to the Chicago Bulls and the Nuggets receiving a tweet from Wade that indicating he was impressed by the Nuggets offer and approach.

Wade would have brought a great locker room presence and leadership to the organization if this signing would have happened. I think he would have helped this team take a next step but a windy city return is understandable.

The Nuggets make a real free agent splash during the 2017 off season and hopefully some additional development from the young core in Denver during the upcoming season will also help with free agent attraction.

Apr 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills (8) guards Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets defeated the Spurs 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Young Core

Everybody expects Mudiay, Harris, Jokic, and Nurkic to have major improvements during this upcoming season. Mudiay and Harris played a NBA summer league game together with passion and joy. Jokic had 2016 Olympic moments that should translate to improvement in his NBA ability. Nurkic has looked to be in better physical condition. Several off season workout photos have shown he is putting in the work. I also am looking to a healthy Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari for more excitement and scoring.

Another piece to these player’s improvement is the fact that we are now entering year two of the Mike Malone plan. If more buy into his approach on the defensive and offensive end occurs the next nine months the ceiling for this team should only go up.

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Malik Beasley (Florida State) is interviewed after being selected as the number nineteen overall pick to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Draft

The draft class appears to be a great group of guys that want to play in Denver. Now it is a matter of finding minutes that allow for development and growth but don’t hold the team back.

Jamal Murray is the only one, in my opinion, that will average close to 15 minutes a game. This team has depth. Juan Hernangomez and Beasley will have to be very impressive at the start of camp and in the preseason games. So that their rookies seasons would be full of large amounts of playing time.

Apr 2, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets dancers perform in the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at the Pepsi Center. The Kings defeated the Nuggets 115-106. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The Thrive

All indications from the organization are that ticket sales are far ahead of the past two seasons at this point. This increase should translate to more fans in the stands and this should definitely increase excitement in the Pepsi Center. I am sure Rocky and the Nuggets Dancers are getting ready to lead a large and rambunctious crowd in 2016-2017.

All of these five things should lead to more wins. The Western Conference is still the best and nothing is guaranteed for the Denver Nuggets to end this playoff drought. We have seen some predictions of only 34 wins (a one win improvement from last season). Also there are win predictions of at least 44 and the seventh or eighth seed in the playoffs.

It is way too early to make a solid prediction about the number of wins this team will have. However, there does appear to be excitement around this team in Denver that has not been seen in years. We still have questions about perimeter scoring and defense. Along with the major question of the role Kenneth Faried will have with this team.

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