Denver Nuggets free agency preview part 3: Deep pool of wings could net Nuggets a 3-and-D specialist

The third and final part of BSN’s free agency preview looks at the wings available this summer and which ones could fit best with the Nuggets. Part one, which examined the free agent frontcourt players on the open market, can be found here. Part two, which looked at the available point guards this summer, can be read here.

Shooting guards and small forwards headline free agency

Unlike the point guard market, the free agent pool of wings is heavy with stars and deep with impact players. It also happens to be the biggest area of need for Denver. With the edition of Jamal Murray, the Nuggets are stocked at the two and have Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler at small forward but lack a true lockdown defender with length on the perimeter.

Currently, Denver’s projected starting lineup doesn’t boast the best defenders. Although Mudiay and Gary Harris can hold their own defensively, Nikola Jokic and Kenneth Faried struggled on that end of the floor last season and while Gallinari had his moments, the responsibility he shouldered on the offensive end limited his energy available on defense. If the Nuggets make any moves during free agency, a stopper on the wing that shoots efficiently would pay the biggest dividends.

BSN Denver’s free agent wing rankings-

1. Kevin Durant | SF | Oklahoma City Thunder | Age: 27 | Unrestricted
2. LeBron James | SF | Cleveland Cavaliers | Age: 31 | Unrestricted
3. DeMar DeRozan | SG | Toronto Raptors | Age: 26 | Unrestricted
4. Bradley Beal | SG | Washington Wizards | Age: 23 | Restricted
5. Nicolas Batum | SF | Charlotte Hornets | Age: 27 | Unrestricted
6. Harrison Barnes | SF | Golden State Warriors | Age: 24 | Restricted
7. Kent Bazemore | SG/SF | Atlanta Hawks | Age: 26 | Unrestricted
8. Dwyane Wade | SG | Miami Heat | Age: 34 | Unrestricted
9. Chandler Parsons | SF | Dallas Mavericks | Age: 27 | Unrestricted
10. Luol Deng | SF | Miami Heat | Age: 31 | Unrestricted
11. Evan Fournier | SG | Orlando Magic | Age: 23 | Restricted
12. Allen Crabbe | SG | Portland Trailblazers | Age: 24 | Restricted
13. Evan Turner | SG/SF | Boston Celtics | Age: 27 | Unrestricted
14. Courtney Lee | SG | Charlotte Hornets | Age: 30 | Unrestricted
15. J.R. Smith | SG | Cleveland Cavaliers | Age: 30 | Unrestricted
16. Dion Waiters | SG | Oklahoma City Thunder | Age: 24 | Restricted
17. E’twaun Moore | SG | Chicago Bulls | Age: 27 | Unrestricted
18. Jared Dudley | SF/PF | Washington Wizards | Age: 30 | Status: Unrestricted
19. Gerald Henderson | SG/SF | Portland Trailblazers | Age: 28 | Unrestricted
20. Lance Thomas | SF | New York Knicks | Age: 28 | Unrestricted
21. Joe Johnson | SF | Miami Heat | Age: 34 | Unrestricted
22. Maurice Harkless | SF | Portland Trailblazers | Age: 23 | Unrestricted
23. Eric Gordon | SG | New Orleans Pelicans | Age: 27 | Unrestricted
24. Jamal Crawford | SG | Los Angeles Clippers | Age: 36 | Unrestricted
25. Solomon Hill | SF | Indiana Pacers | Age: 25 | Unrestricted

First things first, let’s eliminate a few of these guys from consideration. The Nuggets are not among the teams getting a meeting with Kevin Durant, to no one’s surprise and LeBron James is widely expected to return to the Cavaliers after bringing Cleveland its first championship since the Lyndon Johnson administration. Given their glut of shooting guards – Gary Harris, Jamal Murray, Will Barton, and Malik Beasley – the Nuggets won’t be targeting any expensive two guards like DeMar DeRozan, Dwyane Wade or Bradley Beal.

Denver is pretty heavily stocked not only in the backcourt, but at the center spot with Jokic, Jusuf Nurkic, and Joffrey Lauvergne, and the elusive “3-and’D” wing remains at the top of their shopping list. Let’s take a look at some players that fit that bill.

Five wings that make sense for the Nuggets

Kent Bazemore

Bazemore could get close to a max contract after a banner year in Atlanta. Some might say that his price tag precludes the Nuggets from being real suitors, but Denver has plenty of cap space and the team is so young that core players like Harris, Mudiay and Jokic won’t even be up for extensions next year. Bazemore is 26, young enough to fit the Nuggets timeline and is a capable defender. As we saw in the playoffs, he can’t stop James, but few can. His Defensive RPM was higher than Gallinari’s last season and he can get hot from three, though his shooting tailed off at the end of the year. The minutes and role might not be what Bazemore is looking for but depending on the market, Denver could be a fit.

Luol Deng

Still one of the league’s top perimeter defenders at age 31, Deng is consistently one of the more reliable role players in the NBA. His 3-point shot has improved over the years and he’s always good for something like 12 points and six rebounds. He ranked ahead of Bazemore in Defensive RPM last year and will surely come cheaper this summer. Deng would be another perimeter candidate to close games for the Nuggets and can slide to the four in smaller lineups. At this stage in his career, Deng may be motivated to get a long-term deal, but if he can be swayed to take one or two-year contract for big money, Denver may be a fit. Miami has a lot on its plate this summer with decisions to be made on Dwyane Wade and Hassan Whiteside, so Deng could be pried away.

Allen Crabbe

Crabbe is a 2-guard, but would be able to guard many threes in smaller lineups playing alongside Mudiay, Murray, and Harris. He came into his own a little bit last season in Portland, including some big minutes in the playoffs and at just 24-years-old, he could continue to grow along with the rest of Denver’s youthful roster. Crabbe brings athleticism and shooting, with solid defensive potential, but he’s a restricted free agent so there’s a good chance Portland matches offers for him, considering his age and promise. The Nuggets can drive up the price for their division rival and, who knows, maybe get him if Portland’s priorities lie elsewhere. However, Crabbe’s price may be too high; the sharpshooter may get close to a max deal if the market breaks right for him.

Lance Thomas

Thomas won’t have his name on the marquee at Pepsi Center, but the 28-year-old can provide defense and consistent offense off the bench. He’s a hard-worker who’s been in a bad situation in New York for the past two years is looking for some stability. At 6-foot-8 he can play both forward positions and shot 40 percent from three, albeit on just under two attempts per game. Thomas can give the Nuggets a solid 20 minutes, spelling Gallinari or Faried and his limited ceiling will keep his price tag reasonable, even downright cheap relative to the players listed above. Thomas is fully formed as a player, but getting out of the Knicks organization can do wonders for some guys.

Solomon Hill

Hill is an interesting case to examine this summer. He was often buried on the bench in Indiana, despite showing some ability as a staunch defender. Though not much of a shooter, Hill can slash to the hoop with a quick first step and finish athletically. He’s all over passing lanes and a menace to ball handlers on the perimeter. Hill has the bulk to slide down low defensively, but also the quickness to chase guards around the court. The 25-year-old isn’t an amazing floor-spacer at this point and only shot 32.4 percent from three last year, but could develop a corner three with some time in the gym. If the Nuggets are looking for a pure upside free agent that won’t break the bank, Hill is their man. Indiana definitely made a mistake by not picking up his option for 2016-17.