Instant analysis: Nuggets acquire Bryn Forbes for PJ Dozier, Bol Bol, 2nd round pick

The Nuggets moved quickly after last week’s trade that would have sent Bol Bol to the Pistons in exchange for Rodney McGruder and a 2022 second-round pick was vetoed following Bol’s failed physical.

Tuesday night, the Nuggets agreed to a three-team trade that sends Bol, PJ Dozier and a 2028 second-round pick to the Celtics in exchange for Bryn Forbes, who comes to Denver via San Antonio. In the same deal, the Spurs also acquired Juancho Hernangomez from the Celtics. Sorry, Nuggets faithful. Juancho isn’t returning to Denver. At least not right now.

In Forbes, the Nuggets get one of the best available 3-point shooters on the trade market. Forbes shot 45.2% from 3 on 4.9 3-point attempts per game last season for the NBA Champion Bucks and appeared in 20 of Milwaukee’s 23 playoff games. He had two separate 22-point games for the Bucks during their four-game first-round sweep of the Heat and hit double-figure scoring in two other playoff games for Milwaukee last postseason. This year in San Antonio, Forbes is shooting 41.7% from distance on 3.8 3-point attempts per game.

Denver’s deal for Forbes breaks around 48 hours after the Nuggets went just 11-43 from 3-point range in their loss to the Jazz. The Nuggets also shot 3-20 on wide-open 3s vs. Utah.

“The whole league knows that we cannot make shots,” Nikola Jokic said after the loss.

Forbes isn’t afraid to step up and hit a 3 in high-leverage situations. He can get hot in a hurry.

Last season, 86 players attempted at least 200 catch-and-shoot 3s. Here’s how they ranked in 3-point percentage:

1. Joe Harris – 51.5%
2. Marcus Morris Sr. – 49.8%
3. Joe Ingles – 48.9%
4. Michael Porter Jr. – 46.5%
5. Bryn Forbes – 46.3%

Forbes, a Michigan State product who’s played five of his six NBA seasons for Gregg Popovich in San Antonio, is also a quality off-ball mover and high IQ guard who should be able to play off Jokic well. He’s just 6-foot-2 and Michael Malone will have to massage his rotation to get enough defense on the floor with Bones Hyland, Austin Rivers, Facu Campazzo and now Forbes all contending for minutes off the bench. But this is a quality get from Tim Connelly.

Denver acquired Forbes in exchange for two players who are out for the rest of the season. Dozier tore his ACL in November and is a free agent after this year. The Nuggets were very high on him as a prospect, but Dozier has suffered countless injuries over the last few seasons. This could be it for him in Denver. New two-way signee Davon Reed can give the Nuggets a lot of what Dozier provided. Bol underwent right foot surgery on Tuesday and wasn’t in Denver’s plans for this season anyway. Forbes is making $4.5 million this year. He’ll be a free agent this offseason.

“You owe it to your team, your fans, to always look at anything that can make you a better team,” Michael Malone said Tuesday when discussing the upcoming trade season.

A few hours later, the Nuggets unquestionably improved their team for this season and what Denver hopes is an extended playoff run.

Here’s the other intriguing part of tonight’s deal: The Nuggets also opened up a roster spot by sending out Dozier and Bol and only taking on Forbes. Reading the tea leaves it likely means that DeMarcus Cousins, who Denver has maintained interest in, signs soon.