The Denver Nuggets improved to 15-11 and positioned themselves because the No. 5 seed within the Western Convention after a 132-129 additional time victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday night time.
After a gradual begin, three-time league MVP and 2023 NBA Finals MVP Nikola Jokić completed with 27 factors, 13 rebounds and 10 assists to assist his group mount a 16-point second-half comeback.
Though Denver got here away with a win, their poor early efficiency towards an injury-riddled Pelicans group sporting a 5-25 document was regarding.
After successful the 2023 NBA championship, Denver’s most beloved gamers started leaving after being provided contracts they could not refuse.
Gamers who have been integral to Denver’s title run, like Bruce Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, each used their fabulous playoff play as the final word negotiating device in free company, ensuing within the depletion of the Nuggets’ depth.
With the refined decline of Jamal Murray and the entire reliance on their younger prospects to guide the reserve group, it is clear that Denver must make a number of adjustments to offer Jokić with extra firepower.
Latest reviews reported that Nuggets normal supervisor Calvin Sales space expressed curiosity in contacting the Washington Wizards to inquire about the opportunity of signing one of many league’s most inventive scorers and former NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors , Jordan Poole.
“Whereas the Nuggets have the sixth-most environment friendly offense within the NBA, league executives have highlighted Denver’s want to usher in Nikola Jokić as a serious concern,” Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic wrote Monday afternoon . “So it’s no coincidence that Denver checked out LaVine, in addition to Jordan Poole and Jordan Clarkson. These gamers can doubtlessly give the Nuggets one other playmaker.”
At simply 25 years outdated, Poole skilled a resurgence in reputation throughout his second season as a member of the Wizards. The shifty shooter contributed 20.8 factors and 5.0 assists whereas taking pictures 41.2 % from three-point vary on 8.3 makes an attempt.
Poole’s profitable season has generated loads of curiosity from competing groups trying to purchase his companies because the February 6 commerce deadline approaches.
Poole confirmed he can contribute when the lights are brightest, as he averaged 13.2 factors whereas flattening 38.5% of his makes an attempt from distance within the 2022 NBA Finals, finally resulting in a NBA title victory.
To amass Poole, the Nuggets would probably ship a younger prospect like Peyton Watson together with first-round compensation to assist the 4-22 Wizards of their rebuild.
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