Few groups have managed to remake their roster as a lot because the Denver Nuggets. They dramatically improved this offseason after buying and selling Michael Porter Jr. and changing him with Cam Johnson, Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Jonas Valanciunas.
Nonetheless, they need to be maintaining an in depth eye on the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers are being investigated by the NBA over alleged wage cap circumvention involving star Kawhi Leonard.
Leonard, in line with sportswriter Pablo Torre, acquired as much as $50 million in further wage, on prime of the $175 million he acquired from 2021 to 2025. If the Clippers are discovered to have carried out mistaken, they may get pummeled by the NBA, probably even leading to Leonard’s contract being voided.
That will be a nightmare situation for the Clippers however may very well be an ideal alternative for the Nuggets.
The Denver Nuggets should preserve an in depth eye on the Kawhi Leonard scenario
Whereas the Nuggets would not seemingly be on the prime of Leonard’s record, if his contract had been voided, they’d have a possible leg up in a Leonard sweepstakes. They’ve entry to the total mid-level exception value $14.3 million, a rarity for a contender at this stage of the offseason.
Cash clearly seems to be a precedence for Leonard, and having the ability to provide him probably the most quantity of any contender may very well be a terrific promoting level. He might additionally be part of a ready-made contender that incorporates a top-three participant in Nikola Jokic.
Even when he had been to signal for only a season, he’d be effectively value having for a probably lengthy playoff run with the Nuggets having to cope with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. Denver got here dangerously near toppling the Thunder final season however got here up simply brief.
They’ve dramatically improved this summer time and seem like Oklahoma Metropolis’s largest risk to a repeat. If the Nuggets can in some way add Leonard, then that may very well be a sport changer and all however assure them a visit to the finals.
Including Kawhi Leonard can be a game-changer for the Nuggets
With out Leonard, the Nuggets have already constructed a a lot deeper group that might push the Thunder subsequent season. Nonetheless, if Leonard shakes free in the course of the season, providing him the total mid-level exception would give them a leg up on the competitors.
He might head to the best bidder within the brief time period, and the Nuggets would probably current an fascinating touchdown spot. Think about him immediately changing into a free agent in the course of the season, touchdown with the Nuggets, and having a robust few months, serving to propel them to the NBA Finals.
It is a lengthy shot however would rely upon the league’s findings after which on Leonard’s choice had been he to change into out there. However, if he does, then the Nuggets would probably emerge as a attainable touchdown spot for Leonard.
