National Basketball Association

Denver Nuggets Outlook: The Mysterious Power Forwards

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:43 p.m. ET

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Mar 30, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) passes the ball against Memphis Grizzlies forward Chris Andersen (7) during the second half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

With the season just a few short weeks away, we will dissect how the power forward position will impact the Denver Nuggets this season.

For most of last season, the Denver Nuggets survived with only two power forwards. Kenneth Faried, who has had much speculation surround his name, and Darrell Arthur, who is one of the most underrated players in the NBA, were the two solid power forwards for the Nuggets last season.

At times, they also could rely upon J.J. Hickson. But, this season, the Denver Nuggets with the 15th overall pick decided to draft yet another international prospect in Juancho Hernangomez.

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The depth chart now stand at three power forwards with Kenneth Fareid being the starting man, Darrell Arthur being the second in command, and Juancho Hernangomez coming in at third.

Now that we have outlined how they are on the depth chart, let’s take a closer look at how each will rotate individually.

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

Kenneth Faried – Drafted 22nd Overall in the 2011 Draft by the Denver Nuggets

Trade speculation and being the misplaced man are rumors that have been around Kenneth Faried for years, and still he is a Nugget. He has been the heart and soul of the Denver Nuggets power forward position for years.

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With little development in his offensive game, the Newark native may finally be on his way out, but I do not think it will be before the season. Therefore, in the time that Denver has Faried (however long it may be), I suspect him to continue to be the Manimal.

Last season, he averaged 12.5 points per game and 8.7 rebounds per game in 25.3 minutes per game. Outside of his rookie season, the minutes per game were the lowest of his career. Faried appeared in 67 games last season.

The Manimal in his four season in the NBA has yet to develop a steady offensive game. Only 143 of Faried’s 626 shots last season were from outside of five feet. His man offensive attack is flying in for put back rebounds or overpowering smaller defenders, and this could be the reason that he will quickly find his way to the second unit.

Faried, as long as he starts, will still easily see 25+ minutes per night. With him at about 27 minutes per game, Darrell Arthur and Juancho will split about 21, in games where all three are active.

Mar 28, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) fouls Denver Nuggets forward Darrell Arthur (00) in the second quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Mavericks defeated the Nuggets 97-88. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Darrell Arthur – Drafted 27th Overall in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzles

Today’s Fastbreak recently did a post, and author Cray Allred said this about Darrell Arthur (read the whole story here):

This summer, when the salary cap spiked and teams spent astronomical amounts on a weak free-agent class, the Denver Nuggets re-signed Darrell Arthur to a three-year, $23 million contract that descends in annual value. That deal would have been a steal in a non-gold-rush offseason, and it’s outrageously team friendly for the summer of 2016. The fact that Arthur secured a player option for the third year means he was either willfully taking a discount with the opportunity to cash in again in the near future, or he took the “bet on yourself” approach due to low interest in the open market.

Not too much to say about Darrell Arthur except that he is a terrific 3-and-D second unit player which is exactly what the Nuggets need with Nurkic on the second unit. Arthur is an solid talent with a minimal salary in this day-and-age.

Arthur will most like play about 20-22 minutes per game. He will be splitting most of his time with starter Kenneth Faried.

Nuggets fans everywhere should thank Arthur and prepare for another solid season out of him.

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Juan Hernangomez greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number fifteen 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

Juancho Hernangomez – Drafted 15th Overall in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets

What a pick. Good job, Denver Nuggets front office.

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A slashing, shooting, rebounding new-game power forward is what the Denver Nuggets drafted in Juancho Hernangomez. He was a Spanish talent, and he gave up playing of the Spanish National Team for joining the Nuggets Summer League team.

During the Summer League, Juancho flashed the Nugget coaches with immense still. He averaged 10.2 points per game and 8.2 rebounds per game in 7 Summer League games. He was able to shoot threes, but during the Summer League, he shot it at a low 25% rate.

This could be the Nuggets future. In the tape that I watched of him, Juancho Hernangomez seems to have just an innate instinct of where the rebound for each shot will go. Even a more insane possibility would be if Juancho bulks up more if he could play a stretch five, especially with the way the NBA is leaning.

Juancho will most likely not see too much time. He will start off getting scrap minutes and hopefully he can grow into a solid role off of the bench.

The Denver Nuggets have had speculation surrounding Kenneth Faried and if a trade went down it would ultimately impact this entire rotation. As of now, Faried, Arthur, and Hernangomez will round out with Nuggets power forward position.

This trio will be the future of the Nuggets power forward position.

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