Who's the Nuggets' dream but also realistic 2020 free agent target?

Editor’s Note: Have a question that you’d like our writers to answer? Leave any Nuggets questions, takes, proclamations and affirmations in the comments section below and Harrison, Adam and Brendan will address them on an upcoming episode of the DNVR Nuggets Podcast.

Harrison Wind: Justin Holiday, Joe Harris

I’ve long been a fan of Joe Harris, even referring to him as “Klay Thompson on a bad team” during the 2017-18 season when the Nets won 28 games. No, Harris isn’t as good of a defender as Thompson is but he’s every bit the shooter. Harris is a career 42% sniper from 3-point range and is attempting 5.9 threes per game this season, a mark which would rank first on the Nuggets. He has good size at 6-foot-6 too.

Like Harris, I’ve always loved Holiday’s game. He’s taller than his brother Jrue and checks in a 6-foot-6. Holiday is also better shooter, knocking in 42% of his attempts from 3-point range this season. Holiday can play a number of positions and would be a perfect jack of all trades for the Nuggets to have off their bench. He’s a lower-cost option than Harris for a team that could be a little cash strapped this summer.

Adam Mares: Harry Giles

First of all, this is a very thin free agency class and yet Harrison still picked two of the best answers leaving Brendan and I to sort through the Sterling Browns and Dwayne Bacons of the league. What’s worse is that Harrison didn’t select one of just two “Harrisons” in the league. Shameful oversight on his part.

Since there aren’t any free agents who are perfect for the Nuggets roster this summer, I think the best bet is to do what Tim Connelly has done since he arrived in Denver and try to identify a buy-low, young prospect who might still have significant upside. To me, Harry Giles fits that description. Tell me if this profile sounds familiar:

• Former #1 high school prospect
• Draft profile weakened by a catastrophic injury or perceived fatal flaw
• Unique skill that fits outside of traditional molds
• Team player, great attitude, hard working

This might be a description of Bol Bol. Or Michael Porter Jr. Or Will Barton. Or…Emmanuel Mudiay. Or Trey Lyles.

Giles just turned 22 years old two weeks ago. For reference, he’s basically 3 months older than Michael Porter Jr. and would be the 3rd youngest player on Denver’s current roster. Just 4 years ago, Giles was the #1 high school recruit, according to ESPN. He can pass, he can knock down the mid-range, and he is extremely mobile for a guy his size.

But he’s also looked like a bust in Sacramento. Hence the Mudiay comparison.

Nonetheless, Giles might be the type of player that goes to the end of the bench on a team that has the patience to hit the reset button on his career. If he can be had for cheap, he might be worth checking out.

If nothing else, at least we know he is a fan of “Nikola.”

After Nikola what big in the league pass better 👀👀 https://t.co/cxJY7cymvN

— Harry Giles III (@HGiiizzle) May 2, 2020

Brendan Vogt: Joe Harris

I’m not sure how Joe Harris fits into the Nuggets rotation last we saw it. And I am sure he doesn’t help you much on defense. But watching the 2019-20 Nuggets left me longing, if not begging for a lights-out shooter from deep. Harris isn’t too high on anyone’s fantasy board, but in the right lineups he can alter a defensive gameplan, if not make a team pay for failing to factor him in. If you’re hoping to put more shooting around Jokić, then Harris would be a a home run acquisition. Also, shoutout Harrison for picking two players so he only had to write one paragraph on each. I see you.