Nuggets Free Agency: Top potential targets, sleeper names and more

The Nuggets got better on defense last Thursday when Denver selected Christian Braun and Peyton Watson with its two first-round draft picks. But general manager Calvin Booth knows that he can’t count on a rookie to play a defining role on a championship contender. There’s still more work ahead.

“We’re trying to put together a team that’s going to maximize Joker’s peak years,” Booth said. “Right now we have a lot of veterans. We have a good roster but probably have more tweaking to do.”

“I think we definitely need to try to bolster our defense and get guys that played NBA minutes to help us.”

One of those tweaks will likely take place via trade. There’s been chatter for months about the Nuggets’ desire to move Will Barton, something that I think will ultimately happen, with the ideal return being a defensive upgrade on the wing. Another way to tweak the Nuggets’ roster is via the free-agent market where Denver has the $6.4 million taxpayer mid-level exception to offer. The most the Nuggets could offer a free agent on that MLE is three years and around $20 million. Free agency opens on Thursday at 4 pm MT.

Booth said last week that he has the green light from Nuggets ownership to use the taxpayer MLE.

“We have a small group of guys that we would target,” he said regarding using the exception. “If it’s not there, we’re not going to force it. We’re going to try and get guys who are committed to playing defense and have experience that want to win because that’s what we’re trying to do.”

Booth then spoke about the type of player he’s looking to add.

“We need to get bigger. We need to get more athletic,” he said. “We need to get more two-way players.”

Denver’s roster as it currently stands (11 players under contract, four roster spots and one 2-way spot available):

Starters: Jamal Murray, Will Barton, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Nikola Jokic

Bench: Monte Morris, Bones Hyland, Jeff Green, Zeke Nnaji

Reserves: Christian Braun, Peyton Watson, Collin Gillespie (2-way)

Here are names to consider for the MLE but also for minimum contracts as well, the other path Denver can use to fill out its roster.

*QO: A player’s team can offer them a qualifying offer before June 30, meaning they become a restricted free agent and that team has the rights to match any deal that they sign.

— The defensive upgrades —

1. Gary Payton II | Guard | Golden State Warriors | 2021-22 salary: $1.9M

Last year’s stats: 7.1 pts (61.6 FG%, 35.8 3P%, 60.3 FT%), 3.5 rebs, 0.9 asts, 1.4 stls in 17.6 mpg

If Payton doesn’t return to the Warriors I’d watch out for Dallas, who would be looking for its Jalen Brunson replacement if/when he bolts to the Knicks. Payton’s defense next to Luka Doncic would be a nice fit. This is a highly unlikely get for Denver. Payton is most likely too expensive, but his on and off-ball defensive presence would be a great fit next to any one of the Nuggets’ guards. Payton’s lack of self-creation on offense would be mitigated by the talent he’d be playing with in Denver, just like it was in Golden State.

2. Victor Oladipo | Guard | Miami Heat | 2021-22 salary: $2.4M

Last year’s stats: 12.4 pts (47.9 FG%, 41.7 3P%, 73.7 FT%), 2.9 rebs, 3.5 asts in 21.6 mpg

Oladipod had a resurgence in Miami and showed that he can play a role as a defensive-first bench player that can be relied upon in the playoffs. He’s an interesting candidate for Denver. Oladipo’s someone who would improve the Nuggets’ defense but also could be a buy-low option with the possibility that with sustained health can get back to the player he was a few years ago. Oladipo did have a 40-point game in April. I’d think the Heat will do what it takes to keep him in Miami.

3. Caleb Martin | Wing | Miami Heat | 2021-22 salary: $527.6K (QO: $2.1M)

Last year’s stats: 9.2 pts (50.7 FG%, 41.3 3P%, 76.3 FT%), 3.8 rebs, 1.1 asts, 1 stl in 22.9 mpg

Here’s another one that I don’t see becoming available for Denver. Martin carved out a nice role off the Heat bench last season and stayed in the rotation all the way through the playoffs. He’s a solid two-way player with good size at 6-5 with a 6-10 wingspan. He can shoot it from 3 and plays within the system. The Nuggets want to get bigger on the perimeter, and Martin fits the bill.

4. Cody Martin | Wing | Charlotte Hornets | 2021-22 salary: $1.8M (QO: $2.2M)

Last year’s stats: 7.7 pts (48.2 FG%, 38.4 3P%, 70.1 FT), 4 rebs, 2.5 asts, 1.2 stls in 26.3 mpg

He’s a similar player to his twin brother, but not quite as efficient. I’d say he shouldn’t be gettable either but the Hornets could be frugal this summer. He’d be a really nice get for Denver.

5. Taurean Prince | Forward | Minnesota Timberwolves | 2021-22 salary: $13M

Last year’s stats: 7.3 pts (45.4 FG%, 37.6 3P%), 75.6 FT%), 2.5 rebs, 1 ast, 0.7 stls in 17.1 mpg

Maybe I’m jaded because Prince played two of his best games of last season vs. Denver — a 23-point (6-9 3FG’s), 9-rebound performance in February, and a 16-point, 4-rebound effort in March — but he’d fit really well on the Nuggets’ second unit. Prince defends and would give the Nuggets a 6-8 backup small forward that could spell Michael Porter Jr. and just play steady. I really like Prince in Denver.

6. Derrick Jones Jr. | Forward | Chicago Bulls | 2021-22 salary: $9.7M

Last year’s stats: 5.6 pts (53.8 FG%, 32.8 FT%, 80 FT%), 3.3 asts, 0.6 blks in 17.6 mpg

OK, here’s my guy. The sense you get from speaking with those close to the Nuggets is that they want to get bigger, as Booth has said on numerous occasions, but also longer and more athletic. Jones checks all three of those boxes. He’s 6-6 with a 7-foot wingspan and could give Denver a really intriguing and versatile defensive piece to play at the 4/5 on its bench unit. Jones fell out of favor with Bulls coach Billy Donovan last year. I doubt he’s back in Chicago. Maybe Jones can fill some minutes as Denver’s backup five too.

7. Bruce Brown | Guard | Brooklyn Nets | 2021-22 salary: $4.7M

Last year’s stats: 9 pts ( 50.6 FG%, 40.4 3P%, 75.8 FT%), 4.8 rebs, 2.1 asts, 1.1 stls in 24.6 mpg

Slot Brown into the Payton category as a smaller guard who at 6-4 is a wrecking ball on defense and would be your 5th option on offense. You wish he was a tad bigger, but Brown would definitely upgrade Denver’s defense. Maybe not as much as Payton, who I just view as more of a disrupting force, but enough to make the signing worth it.

8. Delon Wright | Guard | Atlanta Hawks | 2021-22 salary: $8.5M

Last year’s stats: 4.4 pts (45.4 FG%, 37.9 3P%, 85.7 FT%), 2.9 rebs, 2.4 asts, 1.2 stls in 18.9 mpg

Wright can play both backcourt positions and has good size at 6-5, but only averaged 18.9 minutes per game last season, his lowest since his second NBA season in 2016-17. He’s a strong defender and could be looking for a change of scenery. With how much he handles the ball, this feels like a natural corresponding move if Denver trades away Monte Morris over the next few days. Wright would be perfect in that role to pair with Bones Hyland.

9. Danuel House Jr. | Wing | Utah Jazz | 2021-22 salary: $657.6K

Last year’s stats: 6.8 pts (44.7 FG%, 41.5 3P%, 69.2 FT%), 2.7 rebs, 1 1ast, 0.6 stls in 19.6 mpg

House landed in Utah last year and wasn’t very effective, especially in the playoffs. But I think there’s a solid role player in here still. No one on Utah really was. He’s been a very good defender at times in the past and can hit the 3. Denver could do a lot worse.

10. Otto Porter Jr. | Forward | Golden State Warriors | 2021-22 salary: $2.4M

Last year’s stats: 8.2 pts (46.4 FG%, 37 3P%, 80.3 FT%), 5.7 rebs, 1.5 asts, 1.1 stls in 22.2 mpg

Porter showed he can be reliable in the playoffs last year. He’d slide in on Denver’s bench unit, knocks down 3s, and defend his position. He’s a smart, veteran player who Michael Malone isn’t going to have to pull from the game for a dumb defensive miscue.

11. Gary Harris | Guard | Orlando Magic | 2021-22 salary: $20.5M

Last year’s stats: 11.1 pts (43.4 FG%, 38.4 3P%, 87;4 FT%), 2 rebs, 1.8 asts, 1 stl in 28.4 mpg

Harris had a little bounce back in Orlando last year. He got his 3-point percentage back up to something respectable and was able to play in 61 games, which is more than he was able to get on the floor for over his last two seasons in Denver. There are health risks here of course, but Harris also showed over the last few years that the next stage of his career could see him shifting into a role where he’s a 3-and-D guard off the bench.

12. Donte DiVincenzo | Guard | Sacramento Kings | 2021-22 salary: $4.7M (QO: $6.6 million)

Last year’s stats: 9 pts (35.1 FG%, 33.9 3P%, 84.3 FT), 4 rebs, 2.8 asts, 1.1 stls in 24 mpg

DiVincenzo can’t be thrilled stuck in Sacramento. He likely wants to get back to a playoff team and Denver could use his 3-and-D presence. DiVincenzo is a little smaller than the Nuggets would prefer for an off-ball guard at 6-4 but he’s athletic.

— The backup center options —

13. Andre Drummond | Center | Brooklyn Nets | 2021-22 salary: $2.4M

Last year’s stats: 7.9 pts (57 FG%, 52.4 FT%), 9.3 rebs, 1.8 asts, 1.1 stls in 19.7 mpg

Drummond is the best backup center on the market. He could start for a handful of teams, but it would be a coup if Denver could land him. He’s durable and played in 73 games each of the last two seasons and would give the Nuggets a stable fixture behind Jokic. This feels very unlikely though.

14. Kevon Looney | Center | Golden State Warriors | 2021-22 salary: $5.2M

Last year’s stats: 6 pts (57.1 FG%, 60 FT%), 7.3 rebs, 2.0 asts, 0.6 blks in 21.2 mpg

Another free agent that’s likely heading back to Golden State, but with how solid he was in the playoffs for the Warriors you know he’d be a good fit in Denver. Looney is a really sturdy defender and rebounder. He knows his role and has a history of filling it perfectly on really good Warriors teams. Again, he’s not a likely signing but has to be included here.

15. DeMarcus Cousins | Center | Denver Nuggets | $683.2M

Last year’s stats: 8.9 pts (45.6 FG%, 32.4 3P%, 73.6 FT%), 5.5 rebs, 1.7 asts, 0.6 blks in 13.9 mpg

There’s no way to dismiss what Cousins did in Denver last year. He pretty much single-handily turned the Nuggets’ bench into a good unit over the last few months of the season. In the playoffs, his 19 points in Game 5 against the Warriors nearly brought the series back to Denver. You wonder how much the Nuggets will need his offense next season with Jokic, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. in the fold, and if Denver needs a defensive-minded center who’s going to protect the rim more. But you also can’t deny how good he was last year.

16. Chris Boucher | Power Forward Center | Toronto Raptors | 2021-22 salary: $7M

Last year’s stats: 9.4 pts (46.4 FG%, 29.7 3P%, 77.7 FT%), 6.2 rebs, 0.3 asts, 0.9 blks in 21.2 mpg

Boucher had a down year in Toronto after a string of a few good seasons. He’s long and slim but a really good rebounder. He’s also tough, gritty and a fine defender who will either return to the Raptors or latch on with another good team.

— The minimum contract guys —

17. Austin Rivers | Guard | Denver Nuggets | 2021-22 salary: $2.4M

Last year’s stats: 6 pts (41.7 FG%, 34.2 3P%, 72.7 FT%), 1.7 rebs, 1.3 asts, 0.8 stls in 22.1 mpg

Rivers has been good in Denver the last few years. His defense has been underrated and he’s run hot and cold from 3. That’s the player he’s most likely always going to be. I’d be OK with Denver bringing him back on a cheap deal.

18. Davon Reed | Guard | Denver Nuggets | 2021-22 salary: 2-way contract (QO: 1.6M)

Last year’s stats: 4.4 pts (50.3 FG%, 43 3P%, 66.7 FT%), 2.3 rebs, 1.1 asts, 0.5 stls in 13.9 mpg

I’d be very surprised if Reed isn’t back with the Nuggets next season. He’s come through Denver’s development pipeline and the Nuggets typically reward those players with multi-year contracts. I’d look for Reed to return to Denver on a two-year contract with a team option on a third season, or something close to that.