National Basketball Association

Denver Nuggets: Good, Bad And Ugly From The 2016 NBA Offseason

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

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Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Jamal Murray (Kentucky) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number seven 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

As the 2016-17 NBA season approaches, we look back at the good, bad and ugly from the NBA offseason for the Denver Nuggets

While the Denver Nuggets didn’t have the most active offseason in recent history, they weren’t short of the headlines. Even though the Nuggets did most of their improvement from this summer in the NBA Draft, Denver was actually involved with one of the most sought after free agents.

No, not Kevin Durant or Al Horford. But Dwyane Wade.

The Denver Nuggets were one of the teams that reportedly met with Wade before he ultimately decided to sign with the Chicago Bulls. The fact that the Nuggets even got a meeting with D-Wade is amazing, and could help them in the future.

After snagging another top 10 prospect in this past year’s draft, the Nuggets are one of the most talented young teams in all of basketball. As they continue to develop from within in their attempt to make it back to the playoffs, let’s look back at what went right and wrong for Denver doing the 2016 NBA offseason.

Mar 15, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Denver Nuggets center Joffrey Lauvergne (77) drives to the basket against the Orlando Magic during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Offseason Recap

Again, the Denver Nuggets didn’t make a ton of personnel moves this summer, but they did add a few pieces. Here’s a quick recap of their transactions this summer.

The Nuggets did a swell job in adding a player like Jamal Murray, who you would expect to contribute right away. He’s a really good shooter that has tremendous ability to grow as an all-around offensive player. He isn’t a finished product by any means, but has all the talent in the world to be a great player.

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Re-signing Darrell Arthur is a move that won’t make many headlines, but it was easily one of the most underrated moves of the summer. Arthur averaged eight points and four rebounds on 45 percent shooting from the field for the Nuggets in 22 minutes per game. He’s a solid veteran reserve that every young team needs.

Trading Lauvergne to the Thunder doesn’t hurt the Nuggets any, since they’re already quite stacked in the frontcourt. Though, you have to wonder what it means for Kenneth Faried and his potential trade.

Now, let’s get to what the Denver Nuggets did right this summer. Their Good.

Mar 17, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jamal Murray (23) dribbles against the Stony Brook Seawolves in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

The Good: Drafting Jamal Murray

Before the NBA Draft, I had Jamal Murray in my top 5. The fact that the Denver Nuggets got him at No. 7 is what you call good value.

As previously touched on, Murray is one of the more well-rounded offensive talents in this draft. Perhaps just behind Kris Dunn and Brandon Ingram. He can play the lead guard position or the two-guard; he has above-average vision in both transition and half-court sets.

He’s a really good shooter and strived under the bright lights during his lone season with the Kentucky Wildcats. Even though he lacks explosiveness and quickness as some of his counterparts in the NBA, he finds ways to compensate for those shortcomings.

The real question is whether Murray will be able to defend against bigger wings in the NBA.

Dec 11, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwayne Wade (3) drives to the basket against Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Miami 96-83. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The Bad: Missing On D-Wade

Even though no one expected the Denver Nuggets to even secure a meeting with Dwyane Wade, when he officially began testing free agency after he felt disrespected by the Miami Heat, the fact that the Nuggets came away empty handed has to be a disappointment.

Despite just getting in the room with Wade will help this franchise in future free agency periods, there are no moral victories in free agency. Not in the NBA.

Do you think the Oklahoma City Thunder feel good about finishing second in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes? Nope. Think the Atlanta Hawks or Washington Wizards feel good about nearly inking Al Horford? Absolutely not.

Neither should the Nuggets.

Mar 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) reacts during double overtime of a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. The Nuggets defeated the Pelicans 118-111 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The Ugly: The Kenneth Faried Problem

The biggest issue for the Denver Nuggets is the fact that they still have a Kenneth Faried problem. After being in the rumor mill for what feels like forever, Faried is still on the Nuggets roster.

Sooner or later, the Nuggets are going to have to make a decision on Faried. He’s under contract until the 2018-19 season, and his value might not be any higher than it could be now – for a number of reasons.

For one, his contract has to be considered a bargain compared to some of the money that exchanged hands this summer. Faried is owed $40 million over the next three years. That’s not that bad.

Second, with the NBA changing to a more perimeter game, Faried’s versatility as a defender can’t be overlooked. See what Tristan Thompson was for the Cleveland Cavaliers this past season? Perhaps Faried can have a similar impact.

With a gluttony of frontcourt players, Kenneth Faried might be the odd man out in Denver. If that’s the case, the Nuggets need to find a trade partner soon.

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