2016-17 Results

Record: 40-42 (9th in the West)

Season Ended: Missed the Playoffs

Key Additions

Draft

Tyler Lydon (SF/PF)

Free Agency

Josh Childress

Trade

Trey Lyles (PF), Paul Millsap (PF)

Key Subtractions

Danilo Gallinari

Projected Starters (Last year averages)

PG: Jameer Nelson (9 pts, 3 reb, 5 ast)

SG: Gary Harris (15 pts, 3 reb, 3 ast)

SF: Wilson Chandler (16 pts, 7 reb, 2 ast)

PF: Paul Millsap (18 pts, 8 reb, 4 ast)

C: Nikola Jokic (17 pts, 10 reb, 5 ast)

Key Reserves

Emanuel Mudiay (PG), Jamal Murray (PG/SG), Will Barton (SG/SF), Kenneth Faried (PF), Mason Plumlee (PF/C)

Major Story lines

Paul Millsap Trade – The Nuggets made a huge move and pulled in Paul Millsap to hold down the 4 spot. He is a 4 time All-Star with years of playoff experience that will be invaluable to this team. He’s also a stretch 4 who likes to rebound and the pairing of he and Jokic is going to be a problem for most front courts.

Gary Harris Extension – Gary Harris just signed a huge extension surprising people who haven’t been paying attention to what’s been happening in the mile high city. Harris shot over 50% from the field and 42% from 3 last year. Significantly improving on his stats from the previous year. You don’t let a guy that can score like that go if you can keep them.

Mike Predictions (49 – 33) (7th in the West)

•  Fun and Gun – The Nuggets surpass the Warriors and Rockets to become the number 1 scoring team in the league. With the addition of Millsap and the growth of Harris and Murray I think the Nuggets are going to be looking to outscore their opponents this year and will have a lot of success.
• Nuggets Beat Warriors, Cavs, and Thunder at least once – Piggybacking on my previous statement I think they run into each of the above teams at least once on a night where their shots aren’t falling early and climb out to a large lead, a lead too large for the other to overcome. This is not a sustainable method which is why I still have them finishing 7th in the West.

Josh Predictions (44-38) (8th in the West)

• Denver makes it back to the postseason – The Nuggets were on the verge of cracking the playoffs last year, but just missed out. This year, they’ve added a multi-time All Star in Paul Millsap who helps on both the offensive and defensive end. On top of that, Nikola Jokic scores, rebounds, and passes like few other players in the league. I, like most other people who watched him for even a few seconds last year, expect him to be even better this year (potential All-Star maybe? Not sure). Overall, I think Denver sneaks into the final playoff spot in the West, and likely wins a game or two against the number 1 seed (who we can only assume will be the Golden State Warriors).