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NBA: Re-seeding the Western Conference after the Free Agency

By Jacob Doole

NBA Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
NBA Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – APRIL 05: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Jeff Teague #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Pepsi Center on April 5, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – APRIL 05: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Jeff Teague #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Pepsi Center on April 5, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

8. Denver Nuggets

Last season: 46-36, 9th

Notable ins: Isaiah Thomas, Michael Porter Jr

Notable outs: Wilson Chandler, Kenneth Faried, Darrell Arthur

With no home run signings made this offseason, the Denver Nuggets will be relying on internal improvement. Luckily, they have a roster full of young players who could easily make a leap next season.

Jamal Murray showed development as a scorer and playmaker in his second season, and looked more and more comfortable as the season wore on. Alongside him, Gary Harris has become one of the more reliable 3-and-D wings in the league and is still only 23.

Nikola Jokic is still the key to Denver’s future success. He is one of the most unique and exciting offensive talents in the league, and may already be one of the best passing big men of all time.

But his play on the defensive end is still below average at best, and horrendous at worst. He needs to get into better shape this season, and put in some serious hours in the film room.

Having Paul Millsap alongside him for a full season should certainly help. After only playing 38 games last year due to injury, Millsap’s swiss-army-knife defense will be a welcome sight for a team ranked in the bottom third defensively.

Losing Wilson Chandler leaves them a little thin on the wings, but re-signing Will Barton helps to ease those concerns. The emergence of Torrey Craig was an added bonus last season, and he should see even more consistent playing time now that Chandler is gone.

And Isaiah Thomas is exactly the kind of low-risk flier that a team like Denver needs to take. If it pays off, it could be the steal of the summer.

The Nuggets just barely missed the playoffs last season, and even with some big additions to the teams around them, they should be thereabouts once again next season.

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