The Denver Nuggets were the only team in the West that posed a legitimate challenge to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the playoffs last season. When factoring in the moves they have made this summer, the Nuggets can emerge as the best team in the West.
Among the several key additions Denver made this offseason, Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix presented Tim Hardaway Jr.‘s signing in free agency as a particularly important one. While speaking about Hardaway Jr. as the replacement for ex-Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Mannix said:
“Tim Hardaway Jr. – I feel like they’re getting a starter for like, dirt cheap money. No, they’re not the same guy. But I can see Tim Hardaway Jr. camping out in the corner the way KCP did for Denver, and playing the same kind of role for them.”
Mannix noted how important the Michael Porter Jr.-Cam Johnson trade was in helping Denver sign key assets like Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown, while also trading for Jonas Valanciunas this offseason.
With a sizable amount of cap space freed up after the trade, the Nuggets had the flexibility to acquire key free agents to bolster their roster depth, and acquiring Hardaway Jr. was likely essential.
Caldwell-Pope was a key figure in Denver’s success in 2023. As the starting shooting guard for the team, the guard was a crucial piece of the puzzle, acting as a solid perimeter threat and defensive stopper.
Since parting ways with Caldwell-Pope, the Nuggets promoted Christian Braun to the starting rotation. Although Braun has proven himself to be an incredibly capable player in his own right, moving him into the starting lineup reduced the efficacy of Denver’s bench.
While teams are still led by superstars, having depth on the roster has become paramount to winning. This year’s Finals were a clear testament to this fact. On this note, adding Hardaway Jr. could be the key to fortifying the Nuggets’ backcourt.
Last season with the Detroit Pistons, the 33-year-old established himself as a key member of the team’s starting rotation. In 77 games for the Pistons, he averaged 11.0 points and 2.4 rebounds per game, while shooting 40.6% from the field and 36.8% from three-point range in 28.0 minutes played.
While a comparison to Caldwell-Pope is understandable, it is safe to say that Hardaway Jr. is only capable of matching the former Nuggets guard as a perimeter threat. Defensively, the former Pistons player pales in comparison.
Regardless, he has proven himself to be a reliable scoring option in the starting rotation and off the bench. Having spent a considerable amount of time in the league, the veteran guard has also gained valuable experience in the playoffs, making him a well-rounded signing.
With some solid additions, the Nuggets are primed to take on the best teams in the league. But there is some indication that Denver may continue making roster upgrades before the start of the new season.
