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 protecting a detailed 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 response to sportswriter Pablo Torre, acquired as much as $50 million in further wage, on high of the $175 million he acquired from 2021 to 2025. If the Clippers are discovered to have completed unsuitable, they may get pummeled by the NBA, presumably even leading to Leonard’s contract being voided.
That may be a nightmare situation for the Clippers however may very well be an ideal alternative for the Nuggets.
The Denver Nuggets should preserve a detailed eye on the Kawhi Leonard scenario
Whereas the Nuggets would not possible be on the high of Leonard’s checklist, if his contract had been voided, they might have a possible leg up in a Leonard sweepstakes. They’ve entry to the complete 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 with the ability to provide him probably the most quantity of any contender may very well be an amazing promoting level. He may additionally be a part of a ready-made contender that contains a top-three participant in Nikola Jokic.
Even when he had been to signal for only a season, he’d be properly value having for a probably lengthy playoff run with the Nuggets having to take care of the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. Denver got here dangerously near toppling the Thunder final season however got here up simply quick.
They’ve dramatically improved this summer time and look like Oklahoma Metropolis’s greatest menace to a repeat. If the Nuggets can one way or the other add Leonard, then that may very well be a sport changer and all however assure them a visit to the finals.
Including Kawhi Leonard could be a game-changer for the Nuggets
With out Leonard, the Nuggets have already constructed a a lot deeper staff that would push the Thunder subsequent season. Nonetheless, if Leonard shakes unfastened in the course of the season, providing him the complete mid-level exception would give them a leg up on the competitors.
He may head to the best bidder within the quick time period, and the Nuggets would probably current an attention-grabbing touchdown spot. Think about him all of a sudden 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 determination had been he to turn into obtainable. However, if he does, then the Nuggets would probably emerge as a potential touchdown spot for Leonard.
