Denver Nuggets free agency preview part 2: Point guard crop low on high impact players

The second part of BSN’s free agency preview looks at the point guards available this summer. Part one, which examined the free agent frontcourt players on the open market, can be found here. 

Point guard market weak across the board

Although Emmanuel Mudiay is locked in as the starting point guard and No. 7 draft pick Jamal Murray can play some lead guard with the second unit, the Nuggets could still pry around the free-agent market for a veteran option at point guard this summer.

Presumptive backup point guard Jameer Nelson wasn’t happy losing his spot in the rotation to D.J. Augustin after a wrist injury sidelined him last season and is also getting up in age. If the Nuggets re-sign Augustin or another veteran point guard, Nelson will likely push for a trade.

The free agent point guard class is probably the weakest of all positions this summer and it’s doubtful the Nuggets entertain extending offers for any of these backcourt players. However, if they’re looking for a bench option or insurance for Jameer Nelson, there are some capable players available.

BSN Denver’s free agent point guard rankings-

1. Mike Conley | PG | Memphis Grizzlies | Age: 28 | Unrestricted
2. Jordan Clarkson | PG/SG | Los Angeles Lakers | Age: 24 | Restricted
3. Jeremy Lin | PG | Charlotte Hornets | Age: 27 | Unrestricted
4. Brandon Jennings | PG | Orlando Magic | Age: 26 | Unrestricted
5. Matthew Dellavedova | PG | Cleveland Cavaliers | Age: 25 | Unrestricted
6. Deron Williams | PG | Dallas Mavericks | Age: 32 | Unrestricted
7. D.J. Augustin | PG | Denver Nuggets | Age: 28 | Unrestricted
8. Jerryd Bayless | PG/SG | Milwaukee Bucks | Age: 27 | Unrestricted
9. Langston Galloway | PG | New York Knicks | Age: 24 | Restricted
10. Seth Curry | PG | Sacramento Kings | Age: 25 | Restricted
11. Ramon Sessions | PG | Washington Wizards | Age: 30 | Unrestricted
12. Austin Rivers | PG/SG | Los Angeles Clippers | Age: 23 | Unrestricted
13. Rajon Rondo | PG | Sacramento Kings | Age: 30 | Unrestricted
14. Ty Lawson | PG | Indiana Pacers | Age: 28 | Unrestricted
15. Ish Smith | PG | Philadelphia 76ers | Age: 27 | Unrestricted

Jordan Clarkson

With arguably the highest upside of any free agent point guard, the former second-round pick has his first opportunity to get paid this summer. The 24-year-old blossomed as a scorer last year for a bad Lakers team but his assist numbers leave a lot to be desired. Denver can afford him and he fits their timeline age-wise, however, he may not be keen to escape the shadow of one 2015 Lottery pick, D’Angelo Russell, only to share the spotlight with another in Emmanuel Mudiay. The Lakers can also match any offer for Clarkson, decreasing the chance that a young player of his caliber will hit the open market. The Lakers have been talking this summer as if they will match any offer for him, but the Nuggets could be last year’s Portland Trail Blazers and drive up Clarkson’s price. Clarkson was potentially an option for the Nuggets before the draft, but the addition of Murray likely pushes the Laker out of the picture for Denver.

Jerryd Bayless 

Bayless is coming off the best 3-point shooting season of his career, where he shot 44 percent on 5.5 attempts per game at age 27. He’s a prototypical backup point guard that can hold the line while Mudiay rests and knock down open shots with the second unit. Bayless plays hard, yet is not much of a defender, but is considerably younger than Nelson. If Bayless’ 3-point shooting sustains and he commits himself on the defensive end he could get minutes for a team like the Nuggets.

D.J. Augustin

Augustin played well enough off the bench for the Nuggets that it may make the most sense to bring back the 28-year-old. Augustin can get hot enough to carry the second unit for short stretches with a plus 3-point shot, decent speed in transition and his ability in the pick-and-roll. Augustin is undersized and a below-average defender, but another team, lured by his shotmaking, may throw a big offer his way and the Nuggets would be wise to stay out of a bidding war for him. If the price is right, Augustin is a decent fit to run Denver’s second unit which could lead to an unhappy Nelson as noted above. The domino effect of a move like this is something for general manager Tim Connelly to keep in mind.

Langston Galloway

Galloway is not all that exciting of a player and is definitely not a game-changer, but we’re talking backup point guards here. What the 24-year-old brings is a steady hand, a little bit of shooting and defense off the bench. Plus he’s still young enough to improve and seems like he has a slightly higher ceiling than where he’s at right now. Galloway is a worker who has carved out an NBA career after going undrafted out of college and seems like a Michael Malone guy in this respect. The Knicks brought in Derrick Rose to shore up their starting point guard slot but gave up Jerian Grant in that trade. They have an incentive to match an offer for Galloway this offseason.

Ty Lawson

Kidding! Just making sure you’re still paying attention. Moving on…

Ramon Sessions

Sessions finished last year strong after John Wall was shut down, averaging just under 17 points with nine assists in his last six games. He’d bring nice size at 6-foot-3 and quickness to the Nuggets bench, however, he may be unhappy playing behind a 20-year-old in Mudiay. Word is Sessions wants to start somewhere and told the Washington Post: “For me, my whole career’s kind of been that backup role, which I’ve been fine with. But at the end of the day, I do want to be a starter. I just feel like these last few games, I’m out here to show that. If somebody needs me to start, I can do it.” Ever the journeyman, Sessions has backed up the likes of Wall, Darren Collison, Kemba Walker, and Kyrie Irving, to name a few. If teams aren’t biting on Sessions as a starter, he may be receptive to another reserve role on a team like Denver.

Final thoughts

Any of these five players would bolster Denver’s bench unit but Connelly shouldn’t fret if he misses out on the point guard market this summer. Nelson is a capable fall-back option as your second point guard, assuming he is healthier this season. He’s had a history of success in the league, has been to a Finals, and can be valuable playing beside Murray on the second unit.

This is not only a pretty weak class of free agent point guards, but the few big names just don’t make sense for Denver. Mike Conley is aging and wants to contend now. Rajon Rondo would upset the delicate balance in the locker room. Brandon Jennings is coming off a major injury. Jeremy Lin wants to start, and Deron Williams is an injury risk. Denver’s money may be better spent on a 3-and-D wing and re-signing Darrell Arthur.

Stay tuned for part three of BSN’s free agent preview Thursday, on the best wings available this summer.