Your guide to the free agent market that the Nuggets can't participate in because we have no money left...

by Andrew Feinstein on Jul 1, 2008 11:52 PM MDT

The 2008 NBA free agent market kicked off at midnight with some notable names opting out of their contracts. Even under normal circumstances (i.e. not completely cap-strapped like the Denver Nuggets find themselves), a playoff team like the Nuggets wouldn't have a shot at big time free agents like Baron Davis, Elton Brand or Gilbert Arenas. But what's most unfortunate about the Nuggets' financial situation is that they likely cannot pursue "mid-level" free agents to improve the team for 2008-09. We'll be lucky just to keep our own coveted restricted free agent, J.R. Smith.

But if - again, IF - the Nuggets could actually spend some money this summer, here's a short list of unrestricted free agents that would improve our chances of winning a playoff series for once under George Karl. Please note that this list assumes the player is open to leaving his prior team (unlike Beno Udrih, who already re-signed with Sacramento) and he's not a max contract-type guy (such as Davis, Brand or Arenas).

So dream with me (or at least humor me) for a moment, and consider the following reasonably priced unrestricted free agent possibilities for the Nuggets to consider signing this summer. Basically, I want to see the Nuggets sign a decent sized backup guard who can hit three's, defend against the opposing team's tallest guard and provide some veteran leadership - i.e. what we haven't had since Jon Barry left.

1) James Posey. There will be no shortage of suitors for the former Nugget, but Posey would look damn, damn good in powder blue and gold next season. Posey is exactly what the Nuggets need: an oversized shooting guard (he's listed at 6'8") who can defend the opposing team's best scorer while consistently hitting three-pointers of his own, thus spreading the floor for his teammates. In addition, Posey leads by example with a tireless and tough effort on both ends of the floor. A Posey/Iverson/Smith backcourt would be just too good to be true.

2) Mickael Pietrus. When given ample playing time, Pietrus produces. In 2006-07, the 6'6" Pietrus put up 11 ppg to go with 4.5 rpg and 39% three-point shooting...while often guarding the opposing team's best shooting guard. He sulked on the bench last season under Don Nelson, but who didn't? (See Davis, Baron). And as an added bonus, if the Nuggets acquired Pietrus, they could keep Yakhouba Diawara's translator!

3) James Jones. Jones has been the odd man out in Phoenix and Portland, but when given playing time, he can be a lethal three-point shooter (evident by his 44% shooting from behind the arc last season) and an overall offensive threat. I'm not sold on his defensive chops, but at 6'8" and 27 years old, he's someone the Nuggets should consider.

4) Michael Finley. I've tried finding something on San Antonio re-signing Finley and have come up empty. So if he's re-signing with the Spurs and this is a non-starter to even suggest it, forgive me. But I'm unclear as to why Finley is so low on everyone's free agent lists. Yeah, he's 35 and has played in a boatload of playoff games, but he still appeared in all 82 games last year and shot a respectable 37% from three-point range (including a lot of clutch three's...just ask the Nuggets). Again, at 6'7" he gives the Nuggets more balance height-wise in the backcourt, in addition to a guy who can spread the floor as a legitimate three-point threat.

5) Sam Cassell. I know what you're thinking: just what a team already full of egos needs. But why not bring the career Nugget-killer Cassell over to our side for a one season tryout? Cassell has been quoted as saying George Karl is a "great coach" and frankly, the Nuggets could use a vocal leader both on the floor and in the locker room. And even though Cassell didn't do well in Boston's structured offense, he could thrive - even at 38 - in the Nuggets free-for-all "system." (Let's be honest, it would just be great to see a knucklehead playing with house money like Cassell paired with Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, Kenyon Martin and the disaster that is the Denver Nuggets locker room).

6) Kareem Rush.
The only thing I know about Rush is that he put up double-digit scoring numbers in 19 out of 27 games (includng 42% three-point shooting) while on my Fantasy Team in January and February last season. I give Rush a lot of credit for helping my team finish second in the season-long boat race that is rotisserie basketball. But I digress. Rush hits the same notes already mentioned with the guards above: he's tall (6'6") and he can spread the floor (career 40% three-point shooter).

7) Shaun Livingston. Definitely the worst suggestion on this list considering his knee was broken into about twelve different pieces two years ago. But how many 6'7", 22-year-old point guards do you know? At the very least, Livingston merits consideration for a team with a perpetually short back court sans J.R. Smith (who's generously listed at 6'6" by the way).

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Now that the Clippers have signed Baron Davis and they are reported to be on the verge of re-signing Elton Brand, and consider the fact that the Trail Blazers are greatly improved, does that mean the Nuggets are the odd team out of the playoffs next year?

I hate to sound so negatively, but unless teams like Dallas and Phoenix fall harder than we expect, I think it is a possibility.

by Lord Sam on Jul 1, 2008 9:16 PM MDT reply actions

The Nuggets don't need "big time free agents", they already damn near have an All-Star team. What they need to do is improve from within, they have the players to do so..the question is are the players willing to make the proper sacrifices and put in that extra effort. I beleive a few are..and i'm scared a few aren't. We shall see. But the FO is going to have their hands full this season..thats for sure.

by Anonymous on Jul 1, 2008 10:36 PM MDT reply actions

I like Jones but that's an other wise terrible list. If they're ranked in terms of value, you have no knowledge of basketball whatsoever. Posey is a thug.

I prefer Jarvis Hayes over the crap you listed. And that's where the Nuggets are looking. His agent is in town.

by Anonymous on Jul 1, 2008 11:28 PM MDT reply actions

Couldn't agree with you more, Andrew.

It's too bad Wes Person isn't still available (jk!).

by maxie miner on Jul 2, 2008 12:52 AM MDT reply actions

I would sign Shaun Livingston, he would be cheaper than the other free agents.

by Lucas Navarrete on Jul 2, 2008 4:12 AM MDT reply actions

If you don't even get to the NBA Finals, your roster needs to change. I don't think the Nuggets will make the playoffs next year. The Nuggets need a true defensive stopper and a defensive minded coach. Wait they have stopper in Marcus Camby, now they need a new coach. The Nuggets don't respect Karl, and that is why he needs to move on. Jeff Van Gundy?

by H-TOWN FAN on Jul 2, 2008 7:47 AM MDT reply actions

We don't need an Artest, or a Posey. One defensive specialist or defensive role-player isn't going to make a difference if 2 or 3 others can't play defense. How many times did an Oberto, a Korver or even a Finley have a career game against the Nuggets? Does that mean that we go out and get an Artest and put him on one of those scrubs? Nah. That means Karl isn't doing his job. Cassel sounds somewhat intriguing for his potential leadership abilities, but again...it was just be a move that compensates for the ineptness of Karl.

Just re-sign J.R. Smith. Move A.I. to point so that Smith can start. He has proven to have too much talent to keep him on the bench. Find a way to give Kleiza and Nene (if he can stay healthy) more minutes.

by viracocha303 on Jul 2, 2008 10:54 AM MDT reply actions

Its ok to dream but its a waste of time. We'll use our MLE on Smith (hopefully) and that's it. No FA money left.

Now, if the FO earns its keep and can find ways to move Camby and AI in return for a starting PG and a big with a post game between now and 2009, the lack of a FA signing won't hurt so much.

by Haig on Jul 2, 2008 11:02 AM MDT reply actions

How about a sign-and-trade: GS gets Iverson to replace Davis and we get Biedrins and Monta Ellis (and whatever else makes the deal work). All of a sudden we'd have a pretty good young team again; Biedrins and Ellis are only 22.

by Anonymous on Jul 2, 2008 11:48 AM MDT reply actions

People shouldn't even have the option to post anonymously here, and when they do, it seems 99% of it is nonsense, or unfounded and baseless.

One anonymous poster here said that us getting a defensive stopper wouldn't do any good... really? 1 on a team of 5 wouldn't help huh? If I told you I'd get you a 20% pay raise you wouldn't take that huh? 20% is a very significant number in just about anything, and yeah, I'll take a defensive presence on this band of yahoo's we currently have.

I like Petrus (sp?) and I mentioned it to the jaggs on 104.3 yesterday morning to some warm reception, and I also like Livingston if his knee/leg/ankle or whatever check out. He's what I used to refer to Rajon Rondo as... Rondo was my "poor mans Shaun Livingston".... I may not have been 100% on that but if we could acquire a guy in the Rondo mold after what we saw him do to the Lakers, wouldn't you take that? The two (IMO) are near identical. Both are excellent passers and good defensively, not looking to shoot first by any means... and thus a perfect fit with these goddamn Nuggets, which means there's no way in hell we'll actually wind up landing Livingston, although B-Diddy to LA clearly leaves Livs without a home I would think. So, I'll chalk up landing a healthly Livs as a pipe dream becuase if healthy, he would make entirely too much sense for us to bring in when you have a bunch of ass-clowns evaluating talent here.

And Andrew, how the hell deep is your fantasy league when you have Kareem Rush even on your roster? Must be playing in a league of extreme amateurs... but then again, I didn't have Rush and I won my league! LOL.

by Eric on Jul 2, 2008 12:31 PM MDT reply actions

To the post above: Baron Davis signed with the Clippers, so that wouldn't work.

To whoever said move AI to the point: Allen Iverson has never been a true point guard, and never will be. Yeah, he can play the point, but he's obviously more comfortable at the two-guard.

Okay, as for the free-agents thing, I think if we could get James Posey, it would helps us. But, I doubt that would happen, so I really don't know anymore.

by nataly on Jul 2, 2008 12:35 PM MDT reply actions

I meant to say you must have a league of like 20 teams or be playing with a bunch of ammy's...

And also, (this is a total tangent everyone aside from Andrew can gloss over) I forgot to say that I challenge you to join any fantasy league with me... I am currently on a 3 sport championship 5-peat streak (2 years running in hoops, 1 year in football in two separate leagues, and I won baseball last year too.) And I'm currently defending my baseball championship and clawing my way to the top in a second league I just started this year. Anything I play, I win... Which is why it's so hard to follow loser teams like the Nugs, but I'm no fair weather fan so I have to take Karl and Wartkenstein (sp?) like a man I guess.

...just BS'n about winning everything. It took me about 5 years to finally crack the football crown, but I straight own in hoops!

by Eric on Jul 2, 2008 12:40 PM MDT reply actions

You can't just post Livingston's ET knee without warning! I can't unsee what I've seen!

by legendarywalton on Jul 2, 2008 12:43 PM MDT reply actions

(different Eric than above)
Livingston would be an awesome idea if he's healthy. Clips didn't give him a qualifying offer so he's unrestricted, but rumor also has it that he is LIGHT YEARS away from basketball fitness and health.
Pietrus wouldn't be a bad pick up at all, he's like a rich man's Diawara, although he may be looking for more money than he deserves. He's also young, so that is good.
And I remain a Cassell advocate - he has said for a couple of years he wants to be a coach and wants to play a year under Karl prior to doing so b/c he respects him a ton. I won't question Sam-I-Am's judgment on that one, but he at least has the giant balls to get in people's ear when they are sucking it up in the effort department. Besides, he'd only play like 8 minutes a night (assuming Karl doesn't do something totally batsh*t insane...).

by Eric B on Jul 2, 2008 1:51 PM MDT reply actions

For those of you who keep suggesting to trade Iverson, I don't think you understand how much production will go down on that team if they move him at this point. Why trade the best player on your team last season? The guy who played all 82 regular season games, injured and all. The Nuggets are better off keeping him and Carmelo and trying to move whoever else in order to help make the team better. I think its a shame for all the work Iverson has put in for that Nuggets team (wether they advanced in the playoffs or not) and people are suggesting to trade him as if he hasn't done anything. Goes to show how ignorant some people are when it comes to basketball. Wether you move Carmelo or Iverson (depending on who comes back in return) the Nuggets won't make the playoffs if either one leaves next season, you can count on that. So keep suggesting all you want for Iverson to be traded and don't blame him when the Nuggets miss the plaoffs for the next two seasons..although i'm sure some of you will figure out a way to blame him anyway even if he is not on the team.

by Anonymous on Jul 2, 2008 1:53 PM MDT reply actions

You're all a bunch of idiots.

Maybe you should read entire posts before you get your panties all bunched up. Read carefully now, because when I post on here I type exactly what I mean to say (unlike some of you retards.)

Nataly, I was proposing a sign-and-trade in the wake of Baron Davis signing with the Clips. I'm suggesting the Warriors sign Ellis and Biedrins and then trade for Iverson since he would be a good replacement. He's a big-name veteran point guard with scoring ability.

Eric #1, no one on here cares about your stupid fantasy team resume. So you're geeky than everyone else...wanna cookie little boy?

Anonymous Iverson Apologist, what you don't seem to understand is that letting him finish out his contract means he'll be an unrestricted free agent after next season. So we either sign him to a deal where we're locked in to a small hybrid guard into the sunset of his career (never a sound move), lose him to another team for nothing in return but cap savings, or we trade him for something that will help us down the road...such as Ellis and Biedrins.

To all who get mad at me for this post, you take yourselves way too seriously. Please recognize the difference between opinion and fact.

Go Nuggets!

by Anonymous on Jul 2, 2008 3:05 PM MDT reply actions

@ Anonymous

Its not that I don't love Iverson, or that I don't appreciate him as one of the greatest baseketball players of his generation. Its just that he makes a huge chunk of money and that we don't necessarily need two high volume shooters to be effective. If we had all the cap room in the world, I'd keep Iverson without a second guess. There are just too many holes we need filled that could be addressed with Iverson's contract off the table.

That said, I doubt the Nug's brass will trade him. It would be a bit of a slap in the face after he picked up his option for this year. And as someone mentioned earlier, I don't think they can trade him until some time limit expires. I'm not definite on exactly when that is.

As far as FA's go:

I'm not sold on Cassell as a player, but if he only gets 8 a night and helps with their hustle and experience, why not.

I like Livingston, but again, it all depends on how that knee of his holds up.

I also sort of thought the Kareem Rush addition was a joke. Unless he's matured a LOT since his Laker days, I just don't see him as being the answer for anything than some garbage time minutes.

Posey is probably going to get a contract far more than what the Nugs can pay him so he's off the table.

My best hope now is that the Spurs lure Maggette away from the Clips (and thus ends their pursuit of JR) and we manage to sign/match any offer he gets.

by Denverson on Jul 2, 2008 3:13 PM MDT reply actions

jr smith is going to be better than an FA this year if starts all denver needs is to trade camby and sign a point like lue or livingston

by young boi on Jul 2, 2008 4:48 PM MDT reply actions

Hey anonymous, if you're so adamant about your posts and who we should play, the fact that we don't need anyone else, blah blah blah... then use a name! I'd like to be able to distinguish you from the other moronic anonymous posters.

And you're either an idiot, a hypocrite or most likely both, because I put in parenthesis to gloss over that post about fantasy - if your name isn't Andrew - ya tard!

by Eric on Jul 2, 2008 4:48 PM MDT reply actions

And sorry I meant to also call out Virachoa303 or whatever the hell his/her name is on the post regarding not needing any defensive help. That's also retarded. If we don't have anyone to stop the great Mike Finley, no, let's not go get someone to fill that void... no, that'd be a dumb thing to do right? Jesus my head hurts.

by Eric on Jul 2, 2008 4:50 PM MDT reply actions

nataly, i'm just saying that if we're going to re-sign J.R., he shouldn't be coming off the bench. the only way he starts is if A.I. moves to point.

eric in fantasy land, acquiring one player that can play defense doesn't help if there's a breakdown in team-defense. it's not as simple as man-to-man schemes. come on now. delve a little deeper than your fantasy analysis.

by viracocha303 on Jul 2, 2008 5:12 PM MDT reply actions

To everyone posting crap about Allen Iverson: Look, no matter what you guys say about AI, my opinions about him will never change. He makes the Nuggets better regardless of how old he is. He's worth the money he's being paid, and I don't care about you say.

This was about possible Free Agent signings, not the other junk everyone is bringing up.

by nataly on Jul 2, 2008 6:06 PM MDT reply actions

To the angry anonymous that is mad at everyone for not agreeing with them...please don't come in here acting as if you know sooo much more about basketball then everyone else. I am the anonymous you called "Iverson apologist" and was not even addressing your original post. But since you seem so offended let me say this...Iverson is an unrestricted free agent next year? DUH!!!! And my point was towards some of the so called "Nuggets fans" who act as if Iverson has not put in any work for that team at all and has come to Denver and done asolutely nothing. The guy came to Denver (a much smaller basketball market) and did what he said he was going to do which was sacrifice parts of his own game while still trying to contribute to that team. And it still didn't work. So my point (and a hell of a lot other basketball fans point) is what is the REAL problem with the Nuggets at this point? You can bring in whoever you want, but untill that team changes its overall CULTURE (like trying to play some damn defense) the results will be the same.

Everyone on that entire roster and in that organization needs to look in the mirror and ask themselves what they really want out of this situation. Because after watching this season there are only a few people and players that were really serious about playing for a ring. Iverson was one of them. So I don't give a damn who you trade, you are not going to get the amount of production in return that he gave that team. Take a second during your tirade and use commen sense to see what I was trying to say. The Nuggets FO have put themselves in a situation in which they have a lot of decisions to make. And how exactly would Ellis and Biedrins help the Nuggets down the road? Besides making that team look even more confused..they don't even know how to use the players they have now, why bring in those players just to waste there time the same way they are wasting Iversons and even JR's? Seriously, get a grip and maybe you should learn the differense between "opinion and fact".

by Anonymous on Jul 2, 2008 8:34 PM MDT reply actions

Nataly's right, quit it with the AI is old crap. Fact is he is still better than over 90% of the league and is the Denver Nugget's most efficient player. He also has more HEART than 100% of the league probably comparable only to KG.

This post is about the free agent market, and if it were at all possible James Posey seems to be the new Robert Horry so I would like to see him in a Nuggets uniform. But since we can't afford him, for now I'd be happy with a coaching or management change. =P'

Nuggets 2K9 - led by AI/Melo/JR

by NoYPi on Jul 2, 2008 9:18 PM MDT reply actions

viracocha303:

Doesn't bringing in someone with a passion for defense help with the overall "team defense" you speak of though? It certainly doesn't hurt, and I think I could probably get resounding agreement that we need more defensive minded players to make our team better overall defensively. What are you gonna do? Bring in a magic genie to change the defensive mind state of the current players who need the help? Karl ain't gonna do it! He's going to use defense as a scapegoat until we get guys "known for defense" in here and at which point Karl will be out of excuses, and hopefully succeed or get the F outta Dodge!

by Eric on Jul 3, 2008 8:26 AM MDT reply actions

Just because I made a post about fantasy sports, doesn't mean that I don't or can't have sensible and good views on "real world sports" if you will.

Don't any of you play fantasy? If so, do you think that automatically disqualifies you to be able to talk about anything else? Bring it on.

by Eric on Jul 3, 2008 8:29 AM MDT reply actions

I have no problem with taking a chance on Livingston or Cassell. I would also throw in Sebastian Telfair or take a shot at Duhon.

by Anonymous on Jul 3, 2008 11:02 AM MDT reply actions

Comments For This Post Are Closed

STIFF LIST (as of 4/26 by Andrew Feinstein)

1. METTA WORLD PEACE

Metta resorted back to Ron Ron last Sunday by clubbing James Hardenwith an "inadvertent celebratory elbow", landing him a 7-game suspension. Apparently, changing his name didn't prevent NBA commissioner David Stern from overlooking Metta's past behavior problems.

2. CHARLOTTE BOBCATS

The 'Cats are on the verge of securing the worst winning percentage in NBA history. Given that the guy who runs the team - Michael Jordan - had previously drafted Kwame Brown and Adam Morrison, should this really be a shock?

3. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
The team that was supposedly built to overcome the lockout-shortened season managed to lose 7 of its last 14 games, ceding the Western Conference's 1-seed to the Spurs in the process. Their reward might be a first round matchup with defending champion Dallas.

4. BILLY HUNTER AND DEREK FISHER

With report after report coming out about NBPA union head Hunter's shady, nepotistic dealings and questions arising about Fisher's own role in dealing with NBA owners behind Hunter's back during the lockout, this off-the-court scandal could prove to be more exciting than the playoffs themselves!

5. STEVE NASH AND THE PHOENIX SUNS
The Suns are on this list for squandering the last few great seasons from Nash. Nash is on this list for his stupidly stubborn loyalty to a franchise as awful as the Suns.