Mason Plumlee brings consistency, continuity to Nuggets

Last week, the Denver Nuggets acquired Mason Plumlee and a future second round pick, plus cash consideration, for Jusuf Nurkic and the rights to the Grizzlies’ first-round pick. This deal is solid in a lot of ways for both sides but the most underrated reason may be the most important.

Having continuity throughout Denver’s rotation in terms of style of play and roster fit can be what makes or breaks a team. If players are consistently played out of position or do not like the role they are playing it can unravel the fabric of the team. The stark contrast between Nikola Jokic and Nurkic was one of the looming issues that Denver was experiencing.

Mason Plumlee is the instant remedy to that problem.

“With Mason Plumlee, you are getting a big guy, just like Nikola Jokic, that averages four assists a game and is a great playmaker,” Michael Malone said.

Think about it in this way: the reports of Wilson Chandler wanting out of Denver pointed to the inconsistency of his role as the main culprit of his frustrations. So what about his role is frustrating and why is it now an issue? Maybe it’s the fact that at the beginning of the year he was coming off the bench alongside Jokic and now that Jokic has been re-inserted into the starting lineup, Chandler is having to play with much less capable playmakers.

“When Nikola is off the floor you try to play the same but we don’t have another Nikola Jokic,” Malone said. “What Mason Plumlee brings is that he is another big that you can play through high post, elbows, and low post. Tremendous athlete and he runs the floor. He is an above the rim player at times. It will be great having almost a synergy of playing the same way with two bigs that are capable of making the same type of plays.”

Having that kind of a facilitator off of the bench that can play a similar brand of basketball as Jokic does will hopefully settle everyone into their roles much more effectively. Chandler won’t have to make the jump from an off-ball cutter and spot-up shooter to a pure isolation scorer multiple times a game. Jamal Murray‘s maturation as a combo guard will get back on track now that the high-volume play of Nurkic has been replaced with the pass-happy Plumlee on the second unit.

Nurkic was a black hole on offense. Once he receives the ball in the post it rarely resulted in anything outside of a shot attempt or turnover. Bringing in Mason Plumlee, who is currently fourth in assists per 100 possessions among all centers who have played at least 30 games, immediately provides another playmaker at center that can help lead the Nuggets’ bench unit.

“When you have unselfish players it becomes easier to play basketball. I think you have seen it become a bit contagious when Nikola moves the ball.” Tim Connelly said. “I think that we have gotten very fortunate with Nikola and our coaches have done an unbelievable job getting him in situations to be very successful and we have really enjoyed the ball movement and unselfish style of play. Mason fits all of those things and he can be a further complement to what we are doing.”

Not only does Plumlee’s passing benefit the team as a whole, but his versatility as a player opens up many different options as well. While Nurkic and Jokic could not co-exist on the court together it seems that Plumlee’s skill-set is much more applicable, so much so that Denver even elected to start him at power forward, alongside Jokic, in his debut. Kenneth Faried, Danilo Gallinari, Darrell Arthur and Chandler were out with injuries.

“He brings a lot of things to the table that I think will be able to complement the players that we have,” Malone said. “What excites me the most is that I think he can play with Nikola and behind Nikola.”

“His playmaking is very unique. He is not a guy who will step out and make a lot of shots but he matches that well with his cutting, rolling, and playmaking,” Connelly said. “He is not a post dominant guy so he will keep the middle open which is consistent with what we have done since we made the change to the starting lineup.”

The skill-set that Plumlee possesses makes the thought of pairing him with Jokic impossible to not contemplate. Plumlee seemingly brings more to the table than meets the eye and could be a big boost for a Nuggets team that is looking to make the playoffs this season, as well as much further down the line.

“We are pleased with how we have been playing as of late, especially coming back from London. As you look to better your team and bring players in, you want those players to address needs and fit the pieces that you have,” Malone explained. “Whenever you put together a team and a roster it is like a puzzle. The pieces have to fit. You can’t just acquire talent and hope they fit. It has to be about bringing in the right players to fit the talent that you already have but also fit the style of play that you are trying to employ.”

It seems the Nuggets have found the perfect puzzle piece in Plumlee.