Nuggets’ solution to the Jonas Valanciunas debacle couldn’t be clearer

After falling quick to the eventual champion, the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, within the second spherical, the Denver Nuggets realized they didn’t have sufficient to enhance Nikola Jokic. Denver got here into this offseason with the aim of surrounding Jokic with extra expertise and depth. They’ve achieved that aim this summer time.

They swapped Michael Porter Jr. for the extra constant and versatile Cam Johnson. They introduced in Tim Hardaway so as to add extra scoring and taking pictures off the bench. They introduced again Bruce Brown, who was with the workforce once they gained all of it in 2023. 

Arguably the most important transfer, although, was bringing in Jonas Valanciunas from Sacramento, giving Denver a priceless backup heart for Jokic. This can be a weak spot the Nuggets have spent years making an attempt to resolve. Valanciunas, nevertheless, has a profitable supply to affix European energy Panathinaikos and has already verbally dedicated to the workforce.

Denver doesn’t wish to let him out of his contract, however Valanciunas has indicated that he’s keen to carry out to get what he needs. If that’s really the case, then the Nuggets have to take a look at different choices through commerce.

The Nuggets ought to goal Blazers heart Robert Williams III

At any time when Jokic goes to the bench, Denver has been one of many worst groups within the league. Final season when Jokic sat, the Nuggets had a -9.8 internet score and a 106.0 offensive score. The -9.8 internet score can be the second-worst within the league.

Williams will not be the playmaker that Jokic is, however he’s an environment friendly offensive participant. For his profession, he averages seven factors per recreation on 72 % taking pictures. Most of his photographs do come within the paint, however being that environment friendly is spectacular.

He thrives in choose and roll conditions and would offer Denver with an extra lob menace alongside Aaron Gordon. The Nuggets may run a extra diluted two man recreation with Jamal Murray and Williams that might enable their non-Jokic offense to remain afloat.

Including Williams can be a low-risk, high-reward transfer

Defensively, Williams is likely one of the finest rim protectors within the recreation. He averages virtually two blocks per recreation for his profession, has completed within the high ten in Defensive Participant of the Yr voting, and has been on an All-Defensive workforce. 

This previous season, opponents shot 35.5 % from the sector in opposition to Williams, and on photographs inside six ft, rivals shot solely 41 % in opposition to him. 

The problem with Williams is his well being. The final time he performed over 60 video games was in 2022 (the one time he has carried out so), and he has performed solely 26 video games over the past two seasons. For Denver, although, he would have a low-leverage function, and he would seemingly be managed so the workforce may have him prepared for the playoffs.

Valanciunas has made it clear that he needs to proceed his profession elsewhere. The free agent marketplace for facilities is extraordinarily skinny, so the Nuggets need to look to commerce for one. Portland has additionally begun to ship off their veterans like DeAndre Ayton and Anfernee Simons, so it wouldn’t be stunning to see them try this with Williams. He would additionally seemingly come at a low price, making his match with Denver much more engaging.