The Denver Nuggets struggled in their season opener, suffering a 87-102 defeat to the OKC Thunder at home. The team is facing challenges with its roster after losing their best shooter, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, without finding a suitable replacement. Their shooting performance was poor, hitting only 7 of 38 three-point attempts.
Nikola Jokic expressed concern about his teammates’ shooting skills, referring to everyone except Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray as “average” shooters, indicating a need for more reliable shooters on the court.
To address these issues, the Nuggets might consider trading for one of three potential targets to enhance their offensive capabilities:
1. **Bogdan Bogdanovic**: Currently under a $17.6 million contract with the Atlanta Hawks, he could be available if the Hawks decide to focus on younger talent. However, acquiring him would require a complex three-team trade due to salary constraints, which might lead to the loss of several bench players.
2. **Duncan Robinson**: Known for his exceptional shooting, with a career three-point percentage of 39.8%, he could thrive alongside Jokic and the other stars. However, acquiring his $19.4 million contract would also necessitate a multi-team trade and careful consideration of his defensive weaknesses.
3. **Aaron Nesmith**: A promising player from the Indiana Pacers, he has shown strong shooting potential at 37.5% from three. His $11 million salary might allow for a more straightforward trade, but it would likely require the Nuggets to offer additional assets like draft picks.
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Given the significant financial commitments to their core players, bringing in someone like Nesmith, who is under contract until 2027, could be a smart move for the Nuggets as they aim to remain competitive.
