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.
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.