National Basketball Association

Denver Nuggets: How Arthur's Return May Impact the Rotation?

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 12:17 a.m. ET

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Mar 12, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Darrell Arthur (00) celebrates after a play in the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets defeated the Wizards 116-100. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Nuggets are looking to welcome the return of power forward Darrell Arthur to the front court rotation after he missed the first three games.

Darrell Arthur was a key piece of the Denver Nuggets team last season and his missing the first three games has left a hole in the Nuggets front court. With Nikola Jokic and Jusuf Nurkic holding down the starting spots, the twin towers will most likely continue as the starters.

Kenneth Faried has been the lone big off of the bench for the most part. Juancho Hernangomez is the only other big besides these three to see the court so far this season.

Faried (MPG): 28, 30 , 15

Jokic (MPG): 21, 34, 22

Nurkic (MPG): 26, 22, 38

With each big hitting 30 minutes in a single game, who will take the hit most with Arthur’s return? The answer could be none.

Arthur may just replace the minutes that Danilo Gallinari has spent at the four. If I had to choose, he may dip into Nurkic’s time as the Arthur-Mudiay lineup may benefit the sophomore point guard more.

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Last season Arthur averaged 7.5 points per game last, and he could be looking at a bigger role in the offense this season. He was able to play 21.7 minutes per game which is about what he may be looking at throughout this season. With three other capable bigs, Arthur’s time should be consistent with last season.

Let’s take a look at what we will expect from Arthur tonight.

Oct 30, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Darrell Arthur (00) shoots the ball during the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Pepsi Center. The Timberwolves won 95-78. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Arthur against the Wolves

The CBS Sports Rotowire Staff said this about Arthur’s progress:

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“A sore left knee has kept Arthur out of all three of the Nuggets‘ games to date, but the veteran is trending in the right direction as Thursday’s contest approaches. The Nuggets continue to list Arthur as questionable, however, and a final call on his status likely won’t be made until shootaround Thursday. If Arthur does, indeed, play, look for him to be limited to 15 minutes or fewer.”

Even 15 minutes, while not huge, would be reassuring for the Denver Nuggets and the direction of Darrell Arthur.

Throughout the season, Arthur could spacing and aggression will prove to be a factor, and he could be the missing piece for the Denver Nuggets.

Arthur has been missed by the Nuggets and his return will be a huge boost as the Nuggets try to get back on track after starting 1-2.

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